A food handler is diagnosed with a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection. This is one of the Big 6, so the required action is to:
a.Let the handler continue plating provided he wears gloves
b.Exclude the handler and report the diagnosis to the regulatory authority
c.Take no action unless diarrhea or vomiting actually appears
d.Restrict the handler to the dish pit instead of excluding him
Explanation
A diagnosed Big 6 illness such as STEC (along with Salmonella Typhi, nontyphoidal Salmonella, Shigella, Hepatitis A, and Norovirus) requires excluding the food handler and reporting the diagnosis to the regulatory authority. A diagnosed handler sheds the pathogen whether or not symptoms have started, so waiting for diarrhea is too late; gloves and a move to the dish pit both keep an excludable person inside the operation, where hands still reach clean equipment. Reinstatement follows the Code and regulatory clearance.
Law Reference: FDA Food Code §2-201.11Practice all 500 questions free — no signup required.
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