Jewelry can trap pathogens, creating a biohazard. Although employees can wear wedding bands or plain metal rings, cooks and chefs should not wear watches or bracelets. They should wear a hat and hair net. Hair restraints and gloves should also be worn during food prep. In addition, cooks and chefs should keep soiled clothing away from the food preparation area.
Plain band ring
There are several reasons why wearing jewelry while working in a food processing plant is unsanitary. For starters, if the jewelry falls in the food, it can cause contamination. Furthermore, some bacteria are known to lodge in the settings of a ring or watch strap. As a result, it is highly recommended to wear a plain band ring while working in a food processing plant.
Moreover, chefs may not wear jewelry when handling food. It is prohibited to wear jewelry with medical information on the arms and hands. For added safety, the food standards agency recommends that workers should not wear jewelry or loose objects near the food processing area. For the convenience of the reader, the Virginia Administrative Code also includes website addresses for reference. However, these links may not be active or updated, and readers should not rely on them. Instead, they should use the source document.
Wedding or engagement ring covered by a glove
If you plan to work in a kitchen or food processing facility, you should avoid wearing jewellery while handling food. Jewelry can get contaminated with bacteria, which may lodge in the settings of the pieces of jewelry. Additionally, wearing jewellery while working in a kitchen can put your hand near moving equipment, resulting in personal injury. Therefore, it is best to wear only a wedding or engagement ring covered by a glove.
However, you may opt to wear your diamond engagement ring while preparing food. However, this is against tradition, as the rings are likely to get dirty in the kitchen. If your engagement ring has etching or designs, these could collect food particles and bacteria. Consequently, it’s best to cover it with a glove or to completely remove it when working in the kitchen. You should also thoroughly clean your engagement ring after handling food to avoid getting any bacteria on it.
Hair restraints
It is a common health code violation to allow hair to be worn while preparing food. Whether the hair is from a restaurant employee or a guest, it can contaminate food. Hair can carry bacteria and pathogens that could contaminate the food if it is contaminated. Hair restraints are also a good way to prevent hair from falling into food.
When preparing food, employees must wear protective clothing that prevents their hair from coming into contact with the food. This includes gloves, hair coverings, and beard restraints. However, these are only a few of the required safety measures. Personal hygiene is another important aspect, such as washing hands before handling food and avoiding food when sick. Additional workplace behaviours may help to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Keeping soiled clothing away from food prep area
When working in a food preparation area, it is important to wear clean outer clothing, protective overalls, and shoes. All clothing must be microbially clean, meaning the microbes on it are reduced to a safe level. It should be stored in a clean, dry area after each use. Personal effects, such as handbags, hats, and coats, should not be left in the food prep area. Personal effects should be stored in cloakrooms or lockers.
Alternatives to removing jewellery
Cleaning your jewelry is a relatively easy process, especially if you take some precautions. You can use a mixture of half a cup of vinegar, witch hazel, and one drop of tea tree oil. You can also use baking soda, but be careful, as baking soda can scratch softer stones and plated jewelry. If you’re not wearing a metal clasp, you may want to wear a plastic ring instead.
If you’re in a kitchen setting, it’s highly recommended to remove all jewelry when working with food. Jewellery can harbor harmful bacteria and act as a choking hazard if it falls into food. Additionally, jewelry can also create physical and biological hazards. While there are exceptions to the general rule, it is always best to avoid wearing any jewellery while working with food. Those who must wear jewellery should consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or a wedding ring.