(n) Question (Rav Acha brei d'Rava): If one measures out salt, must he wash his hands?
(o) Answer (Rav Ashi): He need not.
I think Rav Ashi's answer ("Lo Miba'ei") is "of couse he has to".
tj, usa
I think that you are correct. Your interpretation fits better into Rav Ashi's words, and that is indeed the way the Me'iri learns the Gemara (when he quotes it in Eruvin 17b).
Thank you! I have made the corrections online.
Mordecai Kornfeld