When should gloves be changed during food preparation?

Changing gloves during food preparation is crucial for preventing cross-contamination and ensuring food safety. It is essential to switch gloves in several scenarios: when changing tasks (for instance, moving from handling raw meats to ready-to-eat foods), after handling raw foods (to avoid transferring harmful bacteria), and when gloves become damaged (as any tear or hole can compromise their protective function). This practice helps maintain a safe food environment and reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses.

In contrast, changing gloves only at the end of food preparation fails to address ongoing risks throughout the preparation process, and changing them every hour does not take into account whether the gloves are still clean or have been used for incompatible tasks. Additionally, only changing gloves when they appear dirty does not prevent contamination during food handling and can lead to unsafe practices if the gloves are not visibly soiled but are still a hazard.