Washing hands thoroughly is crucial after which of the following?

Washing hands thoroughly is critical after both handling raw meat and using the restroom because these activities significantly increase the risk of contaminating food with harmful bacteria or pathogens.

Handling raw meat can lead to the transmission of bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli, which can cause foodborne illnesses. When raw meat is touched, these bacteria can easily spread to hands and subsequently to surfaces or ready-to-eat foods if proper handwashing is not done. Thorough handwashing removes these contaminants, ensuring that food safety is maintained.

Using the restroom is another key moment for hand hygiene. Pathogens that can cause gastrointestinal illnesses can be present on hands after using the bathroom. Washing hands effectively eliminates these pathogens, helping to prevent their spread to food and surfaces.

Therefore, it is essential to recognize that both of these scenarios warrant thorough handwashing to maintain food safety and prevent foodborne illnesses.