What is a proper response when food handlers experience symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea?

When food handlers experience symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, the appropriate response is to report their symptoms and stay home. This is crucial for several reasons. First and foremost, both vomiting and diarrhea are often caused by infectious agents that can be transmitted to food, leading to foodborne illnesses. Allowing an ill food handler to remain at work poses a significant risk to both the food they handle and the health of customers.

By reporting their symptoms, food handlers help ensure that appropriate actions can be taken to prevent the spread of illness in the establishment and to protect public health. Staying home allows the individual time to recover and reduces the likelihood of contaminating food or food contact surfaces.

Frequent hand washing, while important for all food handlers, is not sufficient to mitigate the risks associated with working while symptomatic. Working only on non-food tasks also does not eliminate the risk, as the handler may still spread pathogens through touch or by contaminating surfaces in shared areas. Therefore, the most responsible and correct action is to stay home and report the symptoms.