Which of the following food handling practices is considered unsafe?

Storing raw poultry above ready-to-eat foods is considered an unsafe food handling practice because it increases the risk of cross-contamination. When raw poultry, which can contain harmful pathogens such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, is stored above ready-to-eat foods, juices or drippings from the raw poultry can drip onto these foods. This can contaminate the ready-to-eat items, which are intended to be consumed without further cooking.

It’s essential to always store raw meats below ready-to-eat foods in the refrigerator to prevent the risk of foodborne illnesses. In contrast, the other practices listed—washing hands after handling raw meat, using clean utensils to transfer food, and using a separate cutting board for vegetables—are all essential for maintaining food safety by minimizing the potential for contamination and ensuring that safe food handling protocols are followed.