Personal Hygiene Flashcards

Which of the following is NOT an acceptable practice for food handlers regarding personal items?

Answer: Keeping a cell phone in an apron pocket during food prep

Cell phones are a contamination risk and should not be kept in apron pockets or used during food preparation.

When must a food handler wash their hands after handling raw meat?

Answer: Immediately after and before touching any other surface

Hands must be washed immediately after handling raw meat, before touching other surfaces, equipment, or food items.

A food handler sneezes into their gloved hands. What is the correct response?

Answer: Remove gloves, wash hands, then put on new gloves

Gloves must be removed, hands washed thoroughly, and new gloves put on — gloves do not substitute for handwashing.

What must a food handler do before putting on a new pair of gloves?

Answer: Wash hands thoroughly

Hands must be thoroughly washed before donning new gloves because gloves can develop micro-tears and clean hands reduce contamination risk.

Which symptom alone requires a food handler to be RESTRICTED (not excluded) from working with food?

Answer: Persistent sneezing without fever

Sneezing without fever or other qualifying symptoms results in restriction from working with exposed food but not full exclusion from the operation.

A food handler has long fingernails with dark nail polish. Why is this a concern?

Answer: Long nails may harbor pathogens and polish chips can fall into food

Long nails can trap pathogens under them and nail polish chips are physical contaminants that could end up in food.

A food handler reports having been diagnosed with Salmonella Typhi. What action is required?

Answer: Exclude them and notify the regulatory authority

Salmonella Typhi is a Big 6 pathogen; the food handler must be excluded and the local regulatory authority must be notified.