Personal HygieneQuestion 95 of 320

A manager checks a new prep cook's hands. Which fingernail condition meets Food Code requirements for someone handling exposed food?

a.Long natural nails, as long as they are clean
b.Artificial nails without gloves
c.Nails trimmed, filed, and clean; artificial nails or polish only if gloves are worn
d.Chipped polish is fine on short nails

Explanation

Food handlers must keep fingernails trimmed, filed, and clean so they can be maintained; if they wear nail polish or artificial nails, they must wear gloves when touching exposed food, because polish can chip into food and artificial nails can harbor pathogens and break off. Long nails and chipped polish trap soil and pathogens. Clean, short natural nails are the safe standard for bare-hand tasks like handwashing.

Law Reference: FDA Food Code §2-302.11

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