What is one of the five essential items required for effective hand washing in foodservice?

Soap is one of the five essential items required for effective hand washing in foodservice because it plays a crucial role in removing dirt, grease, and pathogens from skin surfaces. The action of scrubbing with soap helps to dislodge contaminants and allows them to be rinsed away with water. Proper hand washing techniques include lathering with soap for at least 20 seconds to ensure that a significant number of microorganisms are eliminated, thus reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses in foodservice environments.

Other options like hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and food safe gloves serve different functions in sanitation practices but cannot substitute for soap in the hand washing process. Hand sanitizer is effective for sanitizing already clean hands but does not clean them from dirt and debris. Wet wipes may provide a quick cleaning solution but typically lack the same efficacy in removing germs and are not a substitute for the thorough cleaning process that soap provides. Food safe gloves are important for preventing contamination during food handling but are also ineffective if proper hand washing has not been conducted beforehand.