Final answer:
The FDA Food Code recommends that unloved food preparation employees keep fingernails short and clean, without nail polish or artificial nails, and stresses the importance of thorough handwashing that includes cleaning under the fingernails to prevent foodborne diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The FDA Food Code recommends that employees engaged in ungloved food preparation maintain short, trimmed fingernails without nail polish or artificial nails to minimize the risk of contamination and to ensure proper hand hygiene. Food preparation employees are advised to wash hands thoroughly, which includes cleaning under the fingernails, especially:
- Before beginning to prepare or serve food
- Always after using the toilet
- Whenever hands become soiled
Using a nail brush may enhance the cleaning process by removing debris and microorganisms from under the fingernails. Keeping hands and fingernails clean is a critical step in preventing the spread of foodborne diseases, and proper hand hygiene is a key defense against such illnesses.