Under California Retail Food Code §113969, which of the following hair restraints worn by a food employee working at a sandwich prep line is COMPLIANT?
Explanation
California Retail Food Code HSC §113969 requires food employees to wear hair restraints, such as hairnets, hats, caps, beard restraints, or other effective hair coverings, that keep hair from contacting exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, and unwrapped single-service items. The standard is not a particular style — it is effectiveness at containing all hair, including facial hair longer than about 1/2 inch. Option A fails because a loose cap with hair flowing out the back does not confine hair. Option B fails because a decorative headband covers only the bangs and leaves the bulk of the hair free to shed. Option D fails because cosmetic hair products do not constitute a physical restraint and do not stop loose strands from falling into food or onto cleaned utensils. Hair restraints are required because hair sheds continuously (a person loses 50-100 hairs/day) and is a documented physical contaminant in foodborne complaint records; in addition, scalp surfaces harbor Staphylococcus aureus, which is a toxin-producing pathogen of concern.
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