ServSafe Personal Hygiene 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A food handler has a minor cut on their finger that is bandaged. What additional step must they take before handling food?
- Apply a second bandage for extra protection
- Wear a single-use glove over the bandage (Correct answer)
- Wash hands without covering the cut
- Notify the manager and take the day off
Correct answer: Wear a single-use glove over the bandage
A bandaged cut must be covered with a single-use glove to prevent the bandage from contaminating food.
Question 2: Which item is a food handler permitted to wear while working in a food prep area?
- A medical alert bracelet (Correct answer)
- A diamond engagement ring
- Dangling hoop earrings
- A wristwatch
Correct answer: A medical alert bracelet
Medical alert bracelets may be allowed because they serve a safety purpose, unlike other jewelry that can harbor bacteria or fall into food.
Question 3: How should a food handler respond if they experience vomiting or diarrhea while at work?
- Continue working but avoid touching ready-to-eat foods
- Take medication and finish their shift
- Report to the manager and stop handling food immediately (Correct answer)
- Wear gloves and a mask to continue working safely
Correct answer: Report to the manager and stop handling food immediately
Vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms that require the food handler to stop working and report to the manager, as these indicate possible foodborne illness.
Question 4: When must a food handler change their single-use gloves?
- Only when the gloves become visibly torn
- After every 4 hours of continuous use
- After handling raw meat and before touching ready-to-eat food (Correct answer)
- Only when switching between different types of meat
Correct answer: After handling raw meat and before touching ready-to-eat food
Gloves must be changed when switching tasks that could cross-contaminate food, such as moving from raw meat to ready-to-eat items.
Question 5: A food handler's hair is long enough to touch their shoulders. What is the correct procedure?
- Hair that length is always prohibited in food service
- Tie the hair back and wear a hair restraint (Correct answer)
- Only wear a restraint if working near open food
- Cut the hair to an acceptable length before working
Correct answer: Tie the hair back and wear a hair restraint
Long hair must be tied back and covered with a proper hair restraint to prevent it from falling into food.
Question 6: Which situation requires a food handler to wash their hands AND change gloves?
- Moving from slicing bread to slicing cheese
- Switching from mopping floors to preparing salads (Correct answer)
- Going from one prep station to another prep station
- Moving raw chicken from one container to another
Correct answer: Switching from mopping floors to preparing salads
After a non-food task like mopping floors, hands must be washed and gloves changed before returning to food preparation.
Question 7: What is the correct way to use a hand antiseptic in a food service setting?
- Apply it instead of washing hands when a sink is unavailable
- Use it after washing hands as an additional step (Correct answer)
- Apply it before washing hands to loosen dirt
- Use it only when handling raw poultry
Correct answer: Use it after washing hands as an additional step
Hand antiseptics may be used after proper handwashing but must never replace handwashing with soap and water.
ServSafe Personal Hygiene 4
A food handler has a minor cut on their finger that is bandaged.
What additional step must they take before handling food?