What are the most common mistakes to avoid in hand-washing procedures?

Hand-washing is one of the most important and basic practices to ensure food safety and prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses. However, many people in the culinary industry make common mistakes that compromise the effectiveness of hand-washing and increase the risk of foodborne illness. In this article, you will learn what are the most common mistakes to avoid in hand-washing procedures and how to correct them.

1 Not washing frequently enough

One of the most common mistakes is not washing your hands frequently enough or at the right times. You should wash your hands before, during, and after handling food, especially raw meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and produce. You should also wash your hands after touching your face, hair, nose, mouth, or any other body part, as well as after using the restroom, coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, handling garbage, or touching any contaminated surface. Washing your hands frequently and at the right times will reduce the chance of cross-contamination and keep your food safe.

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2 Not washing long enough

Another common mistake is not washing your hands long enough or thoroughly enough. You should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, or the time it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice. You should also scrub all parts of your hands, including your palms, backs, fingers, thumbs, nails, and wrists. You should use warm water and soap, and rinse your hands well under running water. Drying your hands is also important, as wet hands can transfer more bacteria than dry ones. You should use a single-use paper towel or an air dryer to dry your hands completely.

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Angel Gabriel Pérez Martínez

Senior Sous Chef @ Easts Leagues Club | Banquets, Food Service
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In my professional opinion, the most prevalent oversight is the failure to wash hands, particularly after smoking. I have observed numerous chefs neglecting to wash their hands after taking smoke breaks.

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3 Not using the right soap

A third common mistake is not using the right soap or sanitizer for hand-washing. You should use a soap that is designed for hand-washing, not for dishwashing or laundry. Dishwashing and laundry soaps may be too harsh for your skin and may not remove all the dirt and grease from your hands. You should also avoid using antibacterial soap, as it may not be more effective than regular soap and may contribute to antibiotic resistance. If you use a hand sanitizer, you should make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol and use it only when soap and water are not available. Hand sanitizer is not a substitute for hand-washing, as it may not kill all the germs or remove all the dirt and grease from your hands.

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4 Not using the right technique

A fourth common mistake is not using the right technique or equipment for hand-washing. You should use a designated hand-washing sink, not a sink that is used for food preparation or dishwashing. You should also avoid using a common towel, cloth, or sponge to wash or dry your hands, as they may harbor bacteria and spread contamination. You should use a clean, disposable paper towel to turn on and off the faucet, as the faucet handle may be contaminated by previous users. You should also avoid touching any other surface or object with your clean hands, such as your phone, apron, or utensils.

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5 Not following the rules

A fifth common mistake is not following the rules or regulations for hand-washing in your workplace. You should comply with the local, state, and federal laws and standards for food safety and hygiene, as well as the policies and procedures of your employer. You should also follow the instructions and guidelines of your supervisor, manager, or trainer, and seek feedback and improvement on your hand-washing practices. You should also educate yourself and your co-workers on the importance and benefits of hand-washing, and encourage a culture of food safety and quality in your workplace.

Hand-washing is a simple but vital skill that can make a big difference in your culinary performance and reputation. By avoiding these common mistakes and following these best practices, you can improve your hand-washing procedures and ensure your food safety and customer satisfaction.

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Emmanuel Victor

ServiceNow Developer Apprentice @ Creating Coding Careers | Building Innovative ServiceNow Solutions
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Follow modern day food service hand washing rules! Minimum of 20 seconds at least with hot water and the proper hand washing soap!

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the most common mistakes to avoid in hand-washing procedures?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Not washing frequently enough

2 Not washing long enough

3 Not using the right soap

4 Not using the right technique

5 Not following the rules

6 Here’s what else to consider

Culinary Management

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What are the most common mistakes to avoid in hand-washing procedures?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Not washing frequently enough

2 Not washing long enough

3 Not using the right soap

4 Not using the right technique

5 Not following the rules

6 Here’s what else to consider

Culinary Management

Rate this article

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