Which of the following is a common food safety practice?

Proper handwashing is a fundamental food safety practice essential for preventing the spread of foodborne illnesses. It is crucial for anyone who handles food, as it helps eliminate harmful bacteria and pathogens that can contaminate food during preparation or service. By washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, handling raw food, or touching surfaces, food handlers can significantly reduce the risk of food contamination.

In the context of food safety, using raw ingredients directly can lead to cross-contamination, especially if those ingredients carry harmful bacteria. Cooking food to the nearest temperature may not ensure food safety, as proper cooking times and temperatures are critical to killing pathogens effectively. Ignoring expiration dates can result in the consumption of spoiled or unsafe food, posing health risks.

Thus, proper handwashing stands out as an effective measure to maintain food safety standards in any food handling or preparation environment.