A server places dirty dishes in a bus pan and then plates a piece of pie. Before plating the pie, the server should

• A. Rinse with cold water
• B. Wash hands with warm water and soap
• C. Use sanitizer
• D. Put on gloves

Answer: (B)

Washing hands with warm water and soap is the essential step before handling ready-to-eat food. This thoroughly removes dirt, grease, and microbes from the hands, reducing the chance of transferring contamination to the pie. Rinsing with cold water doesn’t adequately clean hands, and sanitizer can’t substitute for a proper handwash when hands are dirty. Putting on gloves isn’t a substitute for washing hands either—gloves should be used only after hands are clean, and they must be changed if they become contaminated.