What should be done immediately before sampling?

Washing and drying hands before sampling is essential in ensuring that the sample collected is uncontaminated and maintains its integrity. This step helps eliminate any potential residues, bacteria, or contaminants that may be present on the hands. Proper hand hygiene is a foundational practice in food safety and quality assurance, as it significantly reduces the risk of introducing foreign substances into the sample.

Putting on gloves, using sanitizer, or taking a temperature reading, while important in various contexts, do not specifically address the immediate need to ensure that hands are clean before beginning the sampling process. Each of these steps may have its place in an overall hygiene protocol but washing hands serves as the critical first step to create a safe sampling environment.