Question

A food handler lifts a leaking garbage bag over the food prep counter when passing through the prep area on the way to the dumpster. What should the person in charge do?

a) Ignore it and continue work
b) Clean the counter after
c) Stop work immediately and disinfect the area
d) Sanitize the area during the next cleaning cycle

Answer 1

The person in charge should stop work immediately and disinfect the area to prevent contamination, following procedures similar to those used in microbiology laboratories when bacterial spills occur.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a food handler lifts a leaking garbage bag over the food prep counter, the person in charge should stop work immediately and disinfect the area. This is to ensure that any potential contaminants are removed effectively to maintain a safe food preparation environment. Considering the information provided regarding the handling of bacterial cultures and the prevention of the spread of microbes, the counter which has been exposed to leak from a garbage bag poses a risk of contamination. The immediate disinfection process should be thorough, similar to the way spills involving bacterial cultures are dealt with: by saturating the spill area with disinfectant and allowing the disinfectant to sit before removing it and then cleaning the area again with disinfectant.

All food contact surfaces must be maintained in a sanitary condition to prevent the spread of contamination and potential illness. According to best biosafety practices and procedures, sanitation is crucial in areas where bacterial cultures are handled, and the same rigour should be applied to food prep areas.