How should employees wash their hands properly?

Washing hands properly is crucial in preventing foodborne illnesses, especially in a food service environment like Starbucks. The correct procedure involves using soap and warm water, which helps to effectively break down and remove dirt, grease, and microorganisms from the hands. The recommended duration of at least 20 seconds is based on research indicating that this amount of time is necessary to ensure that hands are thoroughly cleaned, significantly reducing the microbial load.

Warm water is preferred as it can be more effective at removing dirt and bacteria than cold water, as well as making the handwashing experience more pleasant, which may encourage more frequent compliance among employees. The use of soap is essential because it helps lift pathogens off the skin and rinse them away more effectively than water alone.

The other options present methods that fall short of these standards, either by using insufficient duration, improper temperature, or inadequate cleaning agents. It is essential to follow these guidelines to maintain food safety and hygiene in a food service setting.