What is a common cause of food contamination among handlers?

Unclean hands are a common cause of food contamination among handlers because hands can easily transfer harmful pathogens to food during preparation and service. When food handlers do not wash their hands properly or frequently, they carry bacteria and viruses accumulated from various surfaces, raw foods, or other contaminated items directly to ready-to-eat food. This poses a significant risk of foodborne illnesses, as pathogens can multiply in favorable conditions in food and lead to serious health issues for consumers. Proper handwashing techniques and hygiene practices are crucial in preventing this form of contamination, highlighting the importance of training handlers on the necessity of maintaining clean hands in food safety protocols.