answerFood handlers should never eat, drink, or chew gum while working with food. When you do these things, tiny droplets of saliva are always shooting out of your mouth. These droplets can contaminate food and spread disease. If you must eat during your shift, do so during the breaks allotted you by your employer, not while working with food. You may be able to drink from a covered cup with a straw, but you should check with your manager first.
Smoking while cooking is hazardous to food in many ways. Pieces of cigarettes and ash could fall into food, and second-hand-smoke could cause harm to your co-workers or customers. When you smoke, your hand spends a lot of time close to your mouth and lips, which can lead to contamination via saliva. If you must smoke, do so outdoors, away from any open doors and windows. In fact, because of the Utah Clean Air Act, smoking anywhere in or near an enclosed public place is prohibited. If you do smoke outside, you must be at least 25 feet away from any entrance to your establishment. Your employer may require that you use allotted breaks for smoking. When you finish smoking, always wash your hands thoroughly before returning to work.
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Picking your nose is rarely appropriate, especially in public. However, it is especially inappropriate to do while working with food. You carry potentially harmful germs on your body, including on and in your nose, mouth, ears, and hair. You may have a habit of rubbing your eyes, running your hands through your hair, or scratching your scalp. If so, you must break that habit. Touching any part of your body, other than recently-washed hands, while working with food can make people sick.
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Sneezing and coughing are two of the most common ways to transmit disease. If you have to sneeze or cough, leave the food prep area if possible. If not, turn away from any food, especially food that is ready to be served. Contain the germs by sneezing into the crook of your elbow, rather than your hands. Even if you sneeze into your elbow, you should wash your hands before returning to your food preparation tasks.