Food Protection Manager Certification Practice Test 2026 - Free TAP Series Practice Questions and Study Guide

A food handler should change gloves after handling defrosted hamburger patties and before slicing raw tomatoes and onions to prevent cross-contamination. When handling raw meat, such as hamburger patties, gloves can become contaminated with pathogens like E. coli or Salmonella. These harmful bacteria can pose serious health risks if transferred to ready-to-eat foods, like tomatoes and onions.

The correct moment to change gloves is after moving the hamburger patties and before handling the vegetables. This practice adheres to food safety protocols by ensuring that any bacteria from the raw meat do not contaminate other foods, which are not intended to be cooked before consumption. The other options do not adequately address the need for this critical practice that aims to prevent foodborne illness.