Which safety measures should be taken when handling food?

Keeping raw and cooked foods separate is a crucial safety measure in food handling. This practice helps prevent cross-contamination, which can occur when bacteria from raw foods, such as meat or seafood, transfer to cooked or ready-to-eat foods. By maintaining separation, the risk of foodborne illnesses significantly decreases, ensuring that food remains safe for consumption.

In contrast, cooking food at high temperatures is important for killing certain pathogens but does not address the issue of cross-contamination. Additionally, serving food without washing hands and using the same utensils for different types of food both increase the likelihood of spreading harmful bacteria and lead to food safety violations. Therefore, separating raw and cooked foods is an essential practice that directly contributes to the overall safety and hygiene of food handling in any food service environment.