Food Hygiene - Personal Hygiene

 

Bacteria live in and around your body and without a high level of personal hygiene can be easily transferred onto food in the workplace.

Some of the places bacteria are quite likely to be found:

Hands

This is one of the easiest ways to spread bacteria and in some ways one of the easiest to control.  Your hands will come into contact with not only food but a whole range of equipment which in turn can transfer the bacteria onto food.

The solution?  Frequent hand washing on a regular basis and as a minimum as after the following tasks:

• Before entering the food area and touching food
• After handling raw meat, poultry, shellfish, eggs or vegetables
• After using the toilet
• After coughing or sneezing
• After touching your face or hair
• After any cleaning or handling of waste

Face and Head

Bacteria can also live in your hair and on your scalp, it is therefore important that you avoid touching your hair or face wherever possible, keep your hair covered with a hat or net and ensure your hair is cleaned regularly (unwashed hair carries more bacteria).

Jewellery

It is not advised to wear jewellery in the food preparation area as they can harbour bacteria which can then be transferred onto food.  This also applies to watches which provide an excellent breeding ground for bacteria (especially leather straps)

Jewellery that contains stones or gems also have the potential of causing a physical hazard by falling into the food.

As a general rule it is advisable not to wear any type of jewellery with perhaps the exception of a plain wedding band.

Wounds

Open cuts, grazes, scratches and boils can quickly become infected with germs and the most effective way of preventing them from spreading is to ensure they are correctly covered with a waterproof coloured plaster and inform your supervisor who may place you on restricted duties.

Protective Clothing

It is important that all food handlers wear the correct clothing at all times and that it is suitable for its purpose.  It is important that protective clothing is worn only in the appropriate areas otherwise it will simply become a tool for contamination it is for the same reason that clothing should always be kept clean.

 

Smoking

It is against the law to smoke in a food area and you have a legal duty to adopt a good level of personal hygiene.

Illness reporting

If you are feeling unwell or suffering from an upset stomach it is important that you inform your manager immediately so that they can make the necessary arrangements which might include removing you from food handling until you feeling better or have been cleared by a doctor.

Finished? Try some sample test questions here. (Answers can be found in the download section)

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