360 Training Food Handlers Practice Exam

What should food handlers do if they experience symptoms of illness?

1. Continue working

2. Notify their supervisor

3. Take a break and recover

4. Leave work immediately

The correct answer is: Notify their supervisor

Food handlers experiencing symptoms of illness should notify their supervisor. This is critical for several reasons. First and foremost, food safety is a top priority, and symptoms of illness can indicate the potential for spreading pathogens that may cause foodborne illnesses. By alerting a supervisor, food handlers can ensure that appropriate measures are taken to assess the risk of contamination and protect the health of consumers and other staff members. Additionally, notifying a supervisor allows for the necessary adjustments to be made in staffing or food preparation duties. It can lead to the implementation of health protocols, such as utilizing a replacement worker or ensuring that the affected individual's tasks are minimized or reassigned. This proactive approach helps maintain a safe and sanitary environment in food handling establishments and upholds food safety regulations. Considering the other options, continuing to work can pose significant risks to food safety if the worker is contagious. Taking a break and recovering, while important, may not sufficiently address the risk of spreading illness. Leaving work immediately could be a consideration, but notifying a supervisor first ensures that appropriate health and safety measures are implemented.