When must a prep cook ensure thorough handwashing?

Thorough handwashing is a critical practice in food safety to prevent foodborne illnesses. A prep cook must ensure thorough handwashing at various times throughout their workday to maintain a safe food environment.

Handwashing should occur before starting work to ensure the cook begins with clean hands, reducing the risk of contaminating food from the outset. It is equally important after handling raw meat, as this can introduce harmful pathogens that could be transferred to other foods, utensils, or surfaces. Additionally, there are many other moments during food preparation, such as after using the restroom, after touching the face or hair, or after handling any potentially contaminated items, where handwashing is necessary.

Thus, the requirement for handwashing is not limited to specific instances; it encompasses all these scenarios and anytime hands are potentially contaminated, making thorough handwashing essential whenever necessary. Considering all of these points, the answer encapsulates the need for consistent hand hygiene practices across varied situations in a food preparation environment.