A food service worker must not have direct contact with food if they:

A food service worker must not have direct contact with food if they have a wound that is draining because such wounds can harbor bacteria and pose a significant risk of foodborne illness. When an employee has a draining wound, especially one that is not properly bandaged, there is a high possibility that pathogens could contaminate the food being prepared or served.

This measure is critical for ensuring food safety, as even small amounts of contaminants can lead to serious health risks for consumers. It's essential to have strict hygiene practices in food handling to prevent any potential transmission of pathogens. In this context, any direct contact with food would compromise those practices and could lead to foodborne illnesses, making this condition a clear justification for restricting food contact.

While wearing gloves can provide a barrier between hands and food and are important for safe food handling, they must be used correctly and not as a substitute for proper hygiene. A sore throat might indicate a potential illness, but unless accompanied by more severe symptoms and certain conditions, it does not automatically disqualify a worker from food handling. Recently eating typically does not impair the food worker’s ability to handle food safely in a sanitized environment. Therefore, draining wounds represent the most significant risk and warrant the strongest restrictions.