What is a guideline for using utensils when serving food?

Using clean utensils for each food item is essential in food safety practices to prevent cross-contamination. When serving food, utensils can carry bacteria and pathogens from one food item to another. By ensuring that each food item is served with its own clean utensil, the risk of transferring contaminants from raw or previously served foods to ready-to-eat items is minimized. This practice helps to maintain the safety and integrity of food served to consumers, significantly reducing the likelihood of foodborne illnesses. Proper utensil use is a foundational principle of safe food handling and helps uphold hygiene standards in food service operations.