Love at the First Wash – Wash Hands Like a Germ Killer, Stay Clean Like No Other

Hand hygiene is not just good practice — it is essential to food safety. Unclean hands of food handlers can transfer harmful microorganisms, including antimicrobial-resistant “superbugs”, from their bodies or raw ingredients to utensils, surfaces, and ready-to-eat food. Beyond unwashed hands, the use of unclean towels for drying hands and the improper use of disposable gloves have also been linked to major food poisoning outbreaks in restaurants.

Proper handwashing is one of the most effective defenses against foodborne illness — and a vital step in combating antimicrobial resistance across the food chain.

Washing Hands — The Simple and Effective Way to Reduce Food Poisoning

Food handlers should wash their hands thoroughly with liquid soap and warm water, rubbing hands for at least 20 seconds in order to prevent the spread of preventable infectious diseases. This should be done:

• Before and after handling food or putting on or off gloves;
• Whenever hands become contaminated — for instance, after touching your face, coughing, sneezing, using the toilet, smoking, handling money, waste, mobile phones, chemicals or raw ingredients;
• After completing cleaning tasks.

Supporting the United Nations’ World Food Safety Day on 7 June, the Centre for Food Safety is using this occasion to spotlight the critical role of hand hygiene in safeguarding both food safety and public health. Clean hands are not just about compliance with requirements — they reflect care, confidence and hygiene. Let's Wash Hands Like a Germ Killer, Stay Clean Like No Other — for safer food and healthier communities!

Relevant Links

Guideline

• Hand Washing Guideline for Food Handlers (Includes a mini-poster on proper hand washing)

Presentation Slides

• Hand Washing and Food Safety (In Chinese only)

Short Videos

• Thematic video – Love at the First Wash - Wash Hands Like a Germ Killer, Stay Clean Like No Other (In Cantonese with English captions) 
  • First Episode 
• Video – Everything Everywhere Wash Your Hands (In Cantonese with English captions)
• How to Wash Hands Properly (with multi-lingual closed captions) - 7 Steps to Hand Washing

Posters

• Love at the First Wash - Wash Hands Like a Germ Killer, Stay Clean Like No Other
• When to wash your hands? - Clean hands well to eat well
• Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before handling food
• Dry hands with paper towel after washing hands
• Use disposable gloves correctly and change them at appropriate time

Public Talks and Workshops

Trade Talks and Workshops

Past Food Safety Days

Press Release

•  Food Safety Day 2026 – Keeps hands clean while preparing food (Available soon)