A cook has a small infected cut on a finger. What is the correct way to allow this cook to continue working with food?
a.Wash hands more often and keep the cut finger away from food until the infection clears
b.Cover it with a folded paper towel held on by a rubber band, then pull a single-use glove over it
c.Leave the cut uncovered so it dries in the air, and rinse the finger with hand sanitizer hourly
d.Cover it with an impermeable bandage and then a single-use glove or finger cot over the bandage
Explanation
An infected wound or lesion containing pus on the hand must be covered with an impermeable (waterproof) bandage and then a single-use glove or finger cot, because Staphylococcus aureus in the wound can contaminate food. A paper towel is absorbent, not impermeable, so pus and bacteria wick straight through it even under a glove. Leaving the cut uncovered gives the food no barrier at all, and extra handwashing does not contain an infected lesion; the wash itself can also irritate the wound and spread the discharge.
Law Reference: FDA Food Code §3-301.11Practice all 500 questions free — no signup required.
Own the complete ServSafe Food Protection Manager guide — PDF + EPUB, $19.99 →
Related questions on this topic
- Which single symptom, reported by a food handler, requires the manager to EXCLUDE (not just restrict) that employee from the operation?
- A food handler at a restaurant that serves a nursing home reports jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) that began two days ago. What must the manager do?
- A server reports a sore throat with a fever. Where the establishment serves the general public (not a high-risk population), what is the correct action?
- A cook wants to sip from a cup of soda while working on the prep line. Under the Food Code, drinking in food prep areas is:
- Which activity is prohibited while working in food preparation and service areas?
- A manager checks a new prep cook's hands. Which fingernail condition meets Food Code requirements for someone handling exposed food?
Last reviewed: · editorial process
PrepPass team · Verified against ServSafe Food Protection Manager Exam · How we review