What action must employees take after taking a break?

After taking a break, employees must wash their hands to ensure that any potential contaminants that may have been picked up during their break are eliminated. This step is crucial in food safety practices to prevent cross-contamination and to maintain a hygienic environment in food handling.

Washing hands with soap and water removes not only dirt and food particles but also harmful bacteria and viruses that can be present on hands. This is especially important if the break involved eating, using the restroom, or any activity that could compromise hand hygiene. By washing hands thoroughly, employees contribute to maintaining the safety of the food being prepared or served.

While using hand sanitizer can be effective in some situations, it does not replace the need for washing hands, particularly after breaks. Likewise, drying hands on clothes or wiping them on a towel would not ensure proper hygiene, as those methods can carry contaminants back onto the hands. Therefore, washing hands is the best practice to ensure safety in a food service environment after taking a break.