A food employee was excluded after a positive stool culture for nontyphoidal Salmonella. What must occur before they are allowed to return to work?
Explanation
California Retail Food Code HSC §113949.1, mirroring FDA Food Code 2-201.13(C), requires that any food employee excluded due to diagnosis with a Big 6 pathogen (Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Shigella, Salmonella Typhi, nontyphoidal Salmonella, or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli) may only return to work after WRITTEN medical clearance from a licensed healthcare provider OR from the local regulatory authority (county health department). The clearance must state that the employee is no longer infectious. For nontyphoidal Salmonella specifically, the typical reinstatement criteria are: asymptomatic for the time required by the regulatory authority OR documented negative stool specimens (the local health department determines exactly how many and how spaced). Option A omits the documentation requirement and applies only to UNDIAGNOSED gastroenteritis, not to Big 6 cases. Option B (verbal) does not satisfy the written-clearance rule. Option D is wrong because home-pharmacy tests are not approved diagnostic confirmation in California. The written-clearance rule protects against return-to-work errors and creates a defensible audit trail.
Law Reference: HSC §113949.1Practice all 319 questions free — no signup required.
Related questions on this topic
- A food employee reports jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes) that started 5 days ago. What is the person in charge required to do?
- A food employee called in this morning with vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms began 36 hours ago and stopped 6 hours ago. When may they return to handling food, assuming no Big 6 pathogen has been diagnosed?
- A food employee tells the person in charge that they have a sore throat AND fever of 101°F. The facility serves a Highly Susceptible Population (HSP) — a senior assisted-living dining hall. What is the correct action?
- Under California Retail Food Code §113949.1, which of the following lists the BIG 6 foodborne pathogens that a food employee must report to the person in charge upon diagnosis, and that trigger immediate exclusion?
- Under California Retail Food Code §113949.4 and FDA Food Code 2-201.13, a food employee who had Norovirus symptoms (vomiting and/or diarrhea) must be EXCLUDED from the food facility for what minimum period after symptoms resolve, before being allowed to return to work?
- Under California Retail Food Code §113949.2, a food employee is diagnosed with HEPATITIS A virus. Which combination of actions is required by the person in charge?
Last reviewed: · editorial process