Florida Assisted Living Facilities Practice Exam

How long must food handlers wash their hands to ensure proper hygiene?

1. 1 minute

2. 3 minutes

3. 20 seconds

4. 30 seconds

The correct answer is: 20 seconds

Handwashing is a critical practice in food safety, especially for food handlers, to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses. The correct duration for washing hands is based on guidelines from health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They recommend that hands be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to effectively remove dirt, bacteria, and viruses. This duration is enough to thoroughly scrub all surfaces of the hands, including the backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails. A period shorter than 20 seconds may not sufficiently remove contaminants, while durations longer than this, such as 30 seconds or more, may provide marginal additional benefit but are not specifically required for standard handwashing protocol. Therefore, the recommendation for 20 seconds strikes a balance between being effective and practical for food handlers in maintaining proper hygiene throughout their duties.