Food employees must wash hands:

Food employees must wash their hands at several critical times to prevent the spread of foodborne illness, making the choice encompassing all these instances the correct answer. Handwashing is essential not only after using the bathroom but also before preparing food and after handling garbage, as these activities can transfer harmful pathogens to hands, which may then contaminate food.

When employees wash their hands after using the bathroom, they are removing bacteria that may be present after using toilets. Washing hands before preparing food is equally important, as it helps to minimize the risk of contaminating food with any germs that may be on the hands. Additionally, after handling garbage, washing hands is necessary because trash can harbor a variety of harmful bacteria and viruses.

Emphasizing the importance of handwashing at these various critical points ensures a high standard of food safety and hygiene in the food preparation environment. Skipping any of these situations could lead to cross-contamination and increase the risk of foodborne illnesses. Therefore, handwashing should be viewed as a comprehensive practice that encompasses multiple scenarios throughout a food employee's workday.