D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 25, r. 25-A800

Current through Register 71, No. 45, November 7, 2024

Rule 25-A800 - PREVENTING CONTAMINATION BY EMPLOYEES - FROM HANDS

800.1

Food employees shall wash their hands as specified in § 401.

800.2

Except when washing fruits and vegetables as specified in § 806 or as specified in § 800.4 food employees shall not contact exposed, ready to eat food with their bare hands and shall use suitable utensils such as deli tissue, spatulas, tongs, single-use gloves or dispensing equipment. ^P

800.3

Food employees shall minimize bare hand and arm contact with exposed food that is not in a ready-to-eat form. ^Pf

800.4

Food employees not serving a highly susceptible population may contact exposed, ready-to-eat food with their bare hands if:

(a) The licensee obtains prior approval from the Department; and

(b) Written policies and procedures are maintained in the food establishment and are readily available at all times for use by employees and for the Department's review upon request. The written policies and procedures shall include:

(1) For each bare hand contact procedure, listings of the specific ready-to-eat foods that are touched by bare hands;

(2) Diagrams and other information showing that handwashing facilities, installed, located, equipped, and maintained as specified in §§ 2406, 2411, 2414, 3001, 3002, and 3004, are in an easily accessible location and in close proximity to the work station where the bare hand contact procedure is conducted;

(3) A written employee health policy that details how the food establishment complies with Chapter 3, including:

(A) Documentation that food employees and conditional employees acknowledge that they are informed to report information about their health and activities as they relate to gastrointestinal symptoms and diseases that are transmittable through food as specified in §§ 300.1 through 300.7;

(B) Documentation that food employees and conditional employees acknowledge their responsibilities as specified in § 304; and

(C) Documentation that the person in charge acknowledges their responsibilities as specified in §§ 301, 302, 303, 305, 306, and 307;

(4) Documentation that food employees acknowledge that they have received training in:

(A) The risks of contacting the specific ready-to-eat foods with bare hands;

(B) Proper handwashing as specified in § 401;

(C) When to wash their hands as specified in § 402;

(D) Where to wash their hands as specified in § 404;

(E) Proper fingernail maintenance as specified in § 405;

(F) Prohibition of jewelry as specified in § 406; and

(G) Good hygienic practices as specified in §§ 500 through 504;

(5) Documentation that hands are washed before food preparation and as necessary to prevent cross contamination by food employees as specified in §§ 400, 401, 403, and 404 during all hours of operation when the specific ready-to-eat foods are prepared;

(6) Documentation that food employees contacting ready-to-eat food with bare hands use two (2) or more of the following control measures to provide additional safeguards to hazards associated with bare hand contact:

(A) Double handwashing;

(B) A hand antiseptic after handwashing as specified in § 405;

(C) Incentive programs such as paid sick leave that assist or encourage food employees not to work when they are ill; or

(D) Other control measures approved by the Department; and

(7) Documentation that corrective action is taken when the requirements of § 800.4(a) and (b) are not followed.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 25, r. 25-A800

Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4394 (June 6, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 13690 (November 30, 2012)

Authority: Sections 4 and 10 of An Act Relating to the adulteration of foods and drugs in the District of Columbia, approved February 17, 1898 (30 Stat. 246: D.C. Official Code §§ 48-104 and 48-110 (2009 Repl.)); Section 7 of An Act Making Appropriations to provide for the expenses for the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and three, and for other purposes (32 Stat.627: D.C. Official Code § 47-2834(a)(1), (a)(2), and (b) (2005 Repl.)); and Mayor's Order 2002-103, dated June 18, 2002 and Mayor's Order 98-139, dated August 20, 1998.