What is the primary responsibility of a food handler?

The primary responsibility of a food handler is to ensure food is safe to eat and to prevent foodborne illnesses. This involves various critical practices such as keeping food at safe temperatures, properly washing hands and surfaces, preventing cross-contamination, and using safe food storage methods. The overarching goal is to protect public health by minimizing the risk of foodborne pathogens that can cause illness.

While preparing meals quickly, designing menus, and serving food to customers are all tasks related to food service, they do not encapsulate the essence of a food handler's role. The focus must always remain on safety and hygiene because the consequences of neglecting these responsibilities can lead to serious health risks for consumers. Thus, ensuring food safety is paramount in all operations involving food preparation and handling.