Food Safety

Wash Those Hands

You will want to get rid of bacteria before you eat, handle food, or set the table.

Follow these three steps to be sure that you have killed as many bacteria as possible.

  1. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.
    How long is 20 seconds?
    As long as it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song — twice.
  2. Dry your hands on a clean kitchen or paper towel.
  3. Throw away the paper towel.

Bacteria on your hands… as seen under ultraviolet light

bacteria-hand-after-using-toilet
Bacteria on a hand after using the toilet
bacteria-hand-after-touching-dishcloth
Bacteria on a hand after touching a dirty dishcloth
bacteria-hand-after-handling-chicken
Bacteria on a hand after handling raw chicken
bacteria-hand-after-handling-raw-meat
Bacteria on a hand after handling raw meat
clean-hand-after-washing
No bacteria

Courtesy of the Public Health Laboratory Services, Food and Drinks Federation, U.K.

back to top