Why are proper food handling techniques important?

Proper food handling techniques are essential primarily because they prevent foodborne illnesses and ensure customer safety. When food is not handled properly, harmful bacteria and pathogens can contaminate the food, leading to serious health risks for consumers. This is particularly important in a restaurant setting like Panda Express, where the safety and well-being of customers depend on the staff's adherence to strict food safety protocols.

By implementing safe food handling practices, employees can significantly lower the risk of contamination, such as through proper cooking temperatures, sanitization of surfaces, and maintaining proper food storage practices. This ensures that the food served is safe to consume, protecting customers from potential food poisoning and maintaining the restaurant’s reputation.

Other options, while they might have some merit, do not capture the critical role of food safety in food handling practices. Enhancing flavor, speeding up preparation, or reducing food waste are beneficial outcomes but they are secondary to the primary goal of maintaining health and safety standards in food service.