Utah Food Safety Practice Test

When should single-use gloves be changed?

1. After every hour

2. Only when they tear

3. Anytime you switch tasks, take a break, or they tear

4. Every time you wash your hands

The correct answer is: Anytime you switch tasks, take a break, or they tear

Single-use gloves should be changed anytime you switch tasks, take a break, or if they tear. This practice is crucial in maintaining food safety and preventing cross-contamination. When working with food, different tasks often involve handling various types of food or surfaces that may harbor pathogens. Changing gloves between tasks helps ensure that bacteria or allergens from one food item do not transfer to another, promoting a safe food preparation environment. Additionally, taking breaks or adjusting your work area can introduce contaminants to the gloves that were not present before. Therefore, replacing them minimizes these risks. Gloves also need to be changed immediately if they tear; a torn glove can expose hands directly to contaminants, which poses a significant threat to food safety and public health. The notion that gloves only need to be changed when they tear or at set intervals, such as every hour, does not align with the best practices of food safety, as these practices entail being responsive to the specific circumstances encountered during food handling.