What is a primary risk when handling food without gloves or utensils?

Handling food without gloves or utensils significantly increases the risk of contamination. When hands come into direct contact with food, they can transfer harmful bacteria, viruses, or allergens that may be present on the skin or nails. This contamination can lead to foodborne illnesses, which pose serious health risks to consumers.

Using gloves or utensils serves as a barrier between the food and potential contaminants from hands, reducing the likelihood of transferring pathogens to the food. This practice is especially critical in food service and preparation environments where hygiene is paramount to ensure the safety of the food being served. While aspects like efficiency, taste, and aesthetics are important in food handling, they should not compromise food safety, which is the primary concern when discussing safe food handling practices.