Personal Hygiene Standards Flashcards

A food handler has been diagnosed with Hepatitis A. When may they return to food handling duties?

Answer: Only after being medically cleared by a physician and approved by the health authority

Hepatitis A is highly contagious and can be shed for weeks. A food handler must be medically cleared by a physician and the health authority must approve their return, as the virus can be transmitted even after symptoms resolve.

How should disposable gloves be used properly in food service?

Answer: Change gloves between tasks, after handling raw food, and whenever they become contaminated, always washing hands before putting on new gloves

Gloves must be changed frequently: between different tasks, after handling raw foods, after touching non-food surfaces, and whenever contamination occurs. Hands must be washed before putting on fresh gloves.

Eating, drinking, and smoking are prohibited in food preparation areas because:

Answer: These activities introduce bacteria from the mouth and hands to food contact surfaces and can result in physical contamination

Eating, drinking, and smoking in prep areas can transfer Staphylococcus aureus and other oral bacteria to food. Cigarette butts and beverage containers can also physically contaminate food. These activities must occur in designated break areas.

What should a food handler do if they have a sore throat and fever?

Answer: Report symptoms to the supervisor and avoid handling food until evaluated or symptom-free

Sore throat and fever can indicate a contagious illness such as Streptococcal infection. The food handler must report symptoms to their supervisor and should not handle food until properly evaluated or until symptoms resolve.

Which step in the handwashing procedure helps to remove bacteria trapped under fingernails?

Answer: Scrubbing under nails with a nail brush

A nail brush is specifically designed to dislodge bacteria and debris trapped under fingernails, which is an area that normal scrubbing may not adequately clean. This is an important step especially for food handlers.

A food handler notices their coworker repeatedly tasting food with the same spoon used for stirring. What is the correct response?

Answer: Inform the coworker about the 'two-spoon' tasting method: use one spoon to transfer food to a second clean spoon for tasting

The two-spoon or 'transfer' method prevents saliva contamination: use one clean spoon to take food from the pot and transfer it to a second spoon for tasting. The tasting spoon is then washed before reuse.