California eFoodHandlers Practice Exam

What should a food worker do if they are sick?

1. Go to work but avoid handling food

2. Tell your manager and stay home from work

3. Self-medicate and go to work

4. Nothing; it depends on how they feel

The correct answer is: Tell your manager and stay home from work

If a food worker is sick, they should never go to work and should contact their manager to let them know they are feeling unwell. This is especially important if their illness could be easily passed on to others through food handling. Answer A is incorrect because it is never safe for a sick food worker to handle food, regardless of whether they try to avoid handling it directly. Answer C is also incorrect because self-medicating may only mask symptoms and not fully treat the illness, putting other people at risk. Answer D is incorrect because it puts the responsibility on the worker to determine their own capability to work, rather than seeking guidance from their manager.