Clothes and jewellery can be a source of food contamination. The appropriate clothing for a food handler should include:

• Long hair should be tied up. If using a cap / hair net, make sure it covers the hair entirely to prevent hairs from falling into food.
• Working clothes should preferably be light-coloured and should be worn solely in the work area.
• Wear a mask and make sure it covers the nose and mouth.
• Working clothes and aprons should be clean at the beginning of a work shift. Do not wipe hands on an apron.
• Comfortable closed toe shoes should be worn exclusively in the work area.
• Keep fingernails short and clean. Do not wear nail polish or acrylic nails.
• Avoid wearing jewellery (e.g. bracelet, rings) and watches while handling food.
• Do not wear working clothes or aprons outside the food preparation area.
• Wear disposable gloves if there are wounds or cuts on hands, or cover all wounds or cuts on hands or forearms completely with bright-coloured (e.g. blue) waterproof plasters. Change both gloves and plasters regularly.

	Why wearing NO jewellery is suggested? Jewellery can be an occupational safety and health hazard. It can be heated up near cooking appliances and burn your skin. Jewellery may become loose and get caught in machinery or into food, resulting in physical hazards. Stop you from washing your hands thoroughly.

Printable version