What should a food handler do if they have an open wound?

When a food handler has an open wound, the most appropriate action is to properly bandage and cover it with a glove. This approach is crucial for maintaining food safety and preventing contamination. Open wounds can harbor bacteria and pathogens that might transfer to food, leading to potential foodborne illnesses.

By bandaging the wound and wearing a glove, the food handler effectively minimizes the risk of contaminating food products. Gloves provide a barrier that protects both the food and the employee's injury, ensuring hygienic handling practices are upheld. The use of gloves should always be paired with proper hand hygiene techniques, such as washing hands before putting on gloves to prevent any germs from being transferred to the glove.

Other approaches, such as ignoring the wound, continuing to work without any cover, or washing the wound with food, do not adequately address the risk of contamination and can lead to unsafe food handling practices. Therefore, covering the wound appropriately is essential for ensuring the safety and integrity of the food being prepared or served.