Jewellery may accidentally drop into food causing a foreign matter contamination issue. Touching jewellery worn in ears, noses, tongues and other facial areas can result in contact with bodily fluids (which may harbour bacteria).
The fact is, everyone carries disease-causing microorganisms on and in their bodies — and jewelry can act as a reservoir for germs. That's why if you're a food worker, you should refrain from wearing from wearing anything fancier than a plain ring on your arms and hands when you work.
The only allowed jewelry when preparing food is a plain wedding ring. Food service employees must remove all objects on their hands and wrists except a simple band or wedding ring. This task reduces the risk of contaminating the food during preparation and keeps customers safe.
Staff should not wear watches or jewellery when preparing food (except a plain wedding band). Watches and jewellery can collect and spread dirt and harmful bacteria, and fall into the food.
Hand washing is one of the most important actions you can take to prevent foodborne illness. wash their hands before handling ready-to-eat food and after handling raw food. remove loose jewellery and avoid wearing jewellery on hands and wrists. The Food Standards Code does not require food handlers to use gloves.
Body piercings – if you can see them, please remove them
Individual companies will have their own policies about tongue piercings, but as a rule, if a piercing is visible, it has the potential to contaminate food, so must be removed before starting work.
Reasons why jewellery should not be worn in a food business
You cannot wash your hands effectively if you are wearing rings on your fingers. Jewellery may accidentally drop into food causing a foreign matter contamination issue.
Wearing an apron will keep your clothes clean. If you don't have an apron, an old shirt will do. But don't wear anything that's big and loose. Baggy sleeves or clothes could catch fire or get caught in mixer beaters or other equipment.
Similar to rings, only simple stud earrings are generally allowed to be worn by food handlers. Anything that hangs or dangles is not only a potential hazard to customers but also to the food handler by it being caught in machinery.
'Colors to absolutely be avoided are darker colors and shades of green, blue, red, and purple, which will cast a shadow on food and darken the space. Green and orange, in particular, should be avoided in kitchens,' she warns.
Jewelry can create several safety hazards for those working around chemicals. A spilled or splashed caustic chemical can get under a ring or watchband, burning or irritating the skin.In addition some chemicals, particularly chlorine and ammonia, can damage silver or gold jewelry.
Steam will cause silver to tarnish faster.
Silver jewelry tarnishes when it is exposed to moisture and sulfur in the air. Humidity and the steam generated from your hot shower will act as a catalyst, causing your jewelry to tarnish faster.
In situations where physical contact is needed or there is a possibility of violence, staff must not wear sharp, dangling or exposed pierced jewellery. There is a high risk that they can become entangled during a moving and handling procedure, providing personal care or when close contact with clients is required.
Common risks in the kitchen are; fire, electrical issues, burns, slipping, improper handling of kitchen equipment, food poisoning, and improper storage.
Food Service staff are to dress in clean shirts, skirts, pants,and use hats or other appropriate hair restraints to prevent contamination of food. It is the responsibility of staff persons to ensure that clothes and shoes are appropriate for the job, clean, free of rips or holes, and in good condition.
A proper dress code promotes food safety and brand recognition for food businesses. Food employees are required to wear clean clothes and proper protective gear when working with food. Proper dress codes are part of the aspects of food safety compliance regulations.
Hair can also be a biological hazard. It can have several types of pathogens on it, including Staphylococcus bacteria. These bacteria can cause foodborne illness and quickly make your customers sick. Although it is normal to have these pathogens on your skin and hair, it's important to keep them out of the food.
If you have a health problem, uncontrolled diabetes, bleeding or clotting disorders or a bloodborne virus, your chances of infection are higher. Talk to your doctor to consider your risks. If you smoke, are anemic or pregnant, you could also be at risk for infection.