At a buffet, a guest walks back to the line carrying the same plate they already ate from. What should the trained staff member do?
a.Allow the refill as long as the guest handles the serving tongs correctly
b.Wipe the used plate with a sanitizer wiping cloth and hand it straight back
c.Politely direct the guest to take a clean plate for the refill and remove the used one
d.Allow the refill, since the plate still looks clean and has no visible bits of food left on it
Explanation
Used plates carry saliva and food residue that can contaminate serving utensils and displayed food, and neither careful utensil handling nor a wipe with a cloth removes that risk — a plate that looks clean has still been eaten from. Self-service operations must require a clean plate for each return trip; beverage cups may generally be refilled if refilling avoids contact between the dispenser and the cup rim.
Law Reference: FDA Food Code §3-304.17Practice all 500 questions free — no signup required.
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