Ace the Ontario Food Handler Certification 2026 – Serve Up Success!

When food handlers experience sore throats, it is crucial for them to stay at home and not handle food. This guideline is in place to protect the health and safety of both the food handlers themselves and the customers they serve. Sore throats can be a symptom of a contagious illness, which could potentially lead to foodborne illness outbreaks if pathogens are inadvertently transferred to food.

By choosing to stay at home, food handlers minimize the risk of spreading any infection they may have, particularly since some throat infections can be bacterial or viral and easily transmitted through contact or respiratory droplets. Ensuring that food is handled only by those who are healthy is a fundamental practice in maintaining food safety, protecting customer health, and upholding hygiene standards in food service establishments.

In contrast, continuing to work, serving only pre-packaged foods, or wearing a mask while working could still risk exposure and transmission of illnesses. Therefore, staying home when experiencing symptoms like a sore throat is the best practice for ensuring food safety and hygiene.