If a food handler has a cut or wound on their hands, what is the recommended action?

When a food handler has a cut or wound on their hands, the most appropriate action to take is to cover the cut with a proper bandage and wear gloves. This procedure is crucial for several reasons. First, it helps to prevent any potential contamination of food with blood or other bodily fluids, which can introduce harmful pathogens to the food. Covering the wound properly protects both the food and the handler from any risk of infection and ensures that food safety protocols are upheld.

Wearing gloves over a properly bandaged wound further acts as an additional barrier, minimizing the likelihood of the wound making direct contact with food or food preparation surfaces. This practice aligns with food safety regulations that emphasize personal hygiene and the safe handling of food.

While hand sanitizers can reduce the presence of some germs, they are not effective on all types of pathogens, especially if the skin is broken or bleeding. Simply washing hands with soap does not provide adequate protection if the wound isn't covered, as pathogens can still escape from the wound. Therefore, the safety of food and the health of consumers are best maintained by properly covering any cuts or wounds and using gloves while handling food.