A. Refrigerate the food until it is served.
B. Use single-use gloves to handle the food.
C. Apply hand sanitizer before handling the food.
D. Cover the food in plastic wrap until it is served.
The correct answer is D. Cover the food in plastic wrap until it is served.
Explanation:
After food is cooked, it is essential to protect it from contamination, and one effective way to do this is by covering it. Covering cooked food with plastic wrap or a lid helps prevent exposure to airborne bacteria, dust, and other external contaminants that could compromise the food’s safety. This is particularly important if the food is not going to be served immediately, as it reduces the risk of contamination from the environment.
Why the other options are not correct:
- A. Refrigerate the food until it is served: While refrigeration is essential for keeping food at a safe temperature, it doesn’t directly protect food from contamination unless the food is also covered. Simply refrigerating food without covering it can still expose it to contamination from other foods or open air.
- B. Use single-use gloves to handle the food: Gloves are important for hygiene when handling food, but they are not a complete solution for protecting cooked food after it is prepared. Gloves should be used during food handling or preparation, but they do not protect food once it’s cooked and placed on a plate or in a storage container. Using gloves incorrectly, or not changing them often, can also lead to contamination.
- C. Apply hand sanitizer before handling the food: Hand sanitizer is effective for cleaning hands in certain situations, but it is not a substitute for proper handwashing or for protecting food after it is cooked. Hand sanitizer doesn’t prevent contamination of food directly—it’s a hygiene practice for the handler, not for the food itself. Covering the food is a better way to prevent contamination once it is cooked.
In summary, covering the food in plastic wrap is the most effective way to protect it from contamination after it has been cooked, ensuring it remains safe until it is served.
