What should be done before switching tasks involving food preparation?

Washing hands thoroughly before switching tasks involving food preparation is crucial for maintaining food safety and preventing cross-contamination. When a food handler transitions from one task to another—such as from handling raw meat to preparing vegetables—there is a significant risk of transferring bacteria or pathogens from one food item to another if proper hygiene practices are not followed.

Thorough handwashing removes any contaminants that may be present on the person's hands, thus ensuring that the new task, which may involve handling ready-to-eat foods, is done safely. This practice aligns with food safety guidelines that emphasize the importance of hand hygiene in preventing foodborne illnesses.

While taking a break, drinking water, or checking food temperatures are all important practices in a kitchen, they do not specifically address the immediate need to prevent cross-contamination that arises when changing tasks in food preparation.