What is the primary purpose of using gloves while handling food?

The primary purpose of using gloves while handling food is to provide a barrier against contamination. Gloves serve as a protective layer that helps prevent pathogens, allergens, and other contaminants from being transferred from hands to food. This is essential in ensuring food safety, as improper handling can lead to foodborne illnesses or cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods.

While keeping hands warm and enhancing grip may have some relevance in specific situations, they are not the fundamental reasons for using gloves in food preparation. Similarly, although using gloves can potentially increase efficiency by allowing food handlers to maintain cleanliness, this is not the primary motivation behind their use. The focus in the culinary field is predominantly on safeguarding public health by minimizing the risk of contamination.