Action if a food worker is not well
It is a legal requirement that food handlers must report any food poisoning or symptoms of food poisoning to their manager or Supervisor. Anyone experiencing any symptoms should not work in a food processing or serving area under any circumstances. Any cause of food poisoning within the food handler's household or close contacts must also be reported. This is because in some cases food handlers may be carrying an infection even though they are not suffering the symptoms (a healthy carrier). If food poisoning symptoms are experienced whilst on holiday abroad, this should be reported before returning to work.
If you are suffering from any of the following illness you should report to your supervisor and refrain from handling food.
- Diarrhoea or vomiting
- Stomach pain, nausea, fever or jaundice
- Someone living with you with diarrhoea or vomiting.
- Infectious disease.
- Infected skin, nose or throat.
You should obtain a medical clearance once returning to work.
Employer to ensure that medical records of all employees are on file.
This is essential because an employee could be a carrier (carrier is any person who harbours harmful bacteria with or without showing any sign of illness).