Personal Hygiene

What is effective handwashing for food handlers?
Hand washing is the act of cleansing hands by applying soap and water, rubbing them together vigorously, rinsing them with clean water, and thoroughly drying them. This process gets rid of dirt and germs. Every handwashing stage is important for food handlers and effectively contributes to soil removal and reduction of microorganisms that can cause illness.

How Food Handlers Contaminate Foods

Why is handwashing important for food handlers?
Handwashing reduces the spread of bad germs that are transmitted through food. The hands of food handlers can get contaminated with harmful microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus or contaminated with viruses from human fecal material, such as Norovirus, Shigella spp., hepatitis A virus, E. coli O157:H7, or Salmonella Typhi, or contaminated from raw animal foods, with E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. These and other harmful microorganisms can get on the hands from a variety of places and then be transferred from the hands of food handlers food during preparation and service.

An infected food handler and/or food service employees with unclean hands, and/or exposed portions of arms or fingernails, can contaminate food. If a consumer eats contaminated food, a variety of foodborne illness may result.

When should food handlers wash their hands?
Food Handlers should wash their hands immediately after engaging in activities that may have contaminated their hands:

• When entering a food prep areas;
• Before putting on single-use gloves for working with food and between glove changes;
• Before engaging in food prep activities;
• Before handling clean food service equipment and any serving utensils;
• When going between tasks
• When switching between task like handling raw foods and ready-to-eat foods
• After handling dirty dishes, utensils and/or equipment;
• After touching any body parts like face, nose, hair, ears, etc.
• After using the restroom;
• After using your cell phone
• After coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, smoking or chewing tobacco, vaping, eating, or drinking;
• After touching or handling services animals or aquatic animals such as molluscan shellfish, crawfish, lobsters, or crabs in display tanks.

Can food handlers use hand sanitizers in place of adequate handwashing in food establishments?
No. Hand sanitizer should be used only in addition to proper handwashing.

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California RBS Training

The California Department of Public Health Food Handler’s Card

 The California Department of Public Health Food Handler’s Card The state of California recommends that individuals work in restaurants and non-restaurant facilities to complete food handing training. A California food handler card is valid everywhere in California except in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties which have pre-existing local food handler card programs. Consult with the local enforcement agencies in each of these counties to obtain information on their local food handler programs and requirements. Once you have finished your course, you may print out your certificate of completion. This certificate will serve as your California Food Handler’s Card that qualifies you to work in the food service industry in California.

More Details

California food workers who handle food must have a California Food Handler card on file with their employer within 30 days of hire. To get your card, you must complete the training and pass the exam with a 75 percent or higher. You can complete the training online with ACE Food Handler. Ace Food Handler training and final exam meets the requirements of California’s food safety law SB 602 and is ANSI Approved.   12-20-2017 . California Department of Public Health – Food and Drug Branch 1500 Capitol Ave, MS 7602 Sacramento, CA 95814

 

California Department of Public Health – Food and Drug Branch

1500 Capitol Ave, MS 7602

Sacramento, CA 95814

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California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control District Office 2400 Del Paso Road, Suite 155 Sacramento CA, 95834

Phone

(916) 419-1319

California RBS Training Program Approved Training Provider