While in the kitchen, food handlers must be wary of the jewelry they put on when working. Even the safest-looking jewelry might just end up causing a problem, or even food-borne illness, if worn during work. Here’s a list of things food handlers are not supposed to wear while working.

In this article, we will see what jewelry can food handlers wear while working and eight common jewelry mistakes to avoid in a food handling job.

What Jewelry Can Food Handlers Wear While Working? 8 Common Jewelry Mistakes

Why Jewelry Rules Are Important in Food Handling

Food manufacturing is the first priority towards safety and cleanliness. Things as small as rings, earrings, and bracelets harbor germs, dirt, and even small particles that fall into food. Jewelry in the kitchen may get entangled in equipment, making it dangerous and leading to serious injuries.

As safety and hygiene measures, workplaces restrict what kind of jewelry food handlers can use. Let’s see a few of them and also some common mistakes food handlers should avoid.

What Jewelry Can Food Handlers Wear While Working?

The general rule is that food handlers should not wear any jewelry at work. However, some workplaces may allow very minimal jewelry. Here are the items that might be allowed:

  1. Plain Wedding Band: Some places allow a simple wedding ring without any stones, designs, or engravings. This is because plain rings have fewer places for germs to hide and are less likely to get caught on equipment.
  2. Medical Alert Bracelet: This implies the availability of wearing a bracelet as a form of showing one’s health conditions or situations in which a bracelet might be accepted at your workplace. Such a medical alert bracelet has the requirements for indicating certain health-related situations that are supposed to be communicated when there arises an emergency case. As such, it is needed to be extremely discreet for not causing a problem within the work.
  3. Religious Jewelry: Some places allow religious jewelry, but only if the jewelry is minimal in size and not apparent with street dress. Bulk loose jewelry must be avoided altogether.

Apart from these, it is best to altogether avoid jewelry when at all handling foodstuffs. Now, here come eight common jewelry mistakes by a food handler.

8 Common Jewelry Mistakes by a Food Handler

1. Wearing rings with stones or designs

Rings with stones or intricate designs can catch onto food particles and bacteria. These rings also tend to break, so pieces may fall into food. A simple band is safer if a ring needs to be worn.

2. Wearing Swinging Bracelets

Dangling bracelets might get stuck on pots, pans, or some other kitchen utensil. This can cause accidents and is also unhygienic because bracelets carry germs. Food handlers should not wear bracelets at all.

3. Watch and Fitness Band Usage

No watches or fitness bands are allowed in the kitchen. Not only do they carry germs but also touch food, spread bacteria, and are a hindrance to chopping or stirring. Checking the time on a wall clock or digital timer is much safer.

4. Wearing loose earrings or hoop

Small stud earrings are mostly okay, but large or loose earrings can be a risk. They can fall into food or catch on something, which will cause an accident. Earrings are allowed only when small and secured.

5. Ignoring Cleaning for Allowed Jewelry

Even though a simple ring or medical bracelet is allowed, it must be cleaned often. Bacteria can thrive on jewelry and be spread to the hands. Food handlers should clean their permitted jewelry as often as they can to minimize germs.

6. Failure to Cover Piercings

Some food handlers may have facial piercings, like nose rings, lip rings, or eyebrow rings. If these are permitted, they should be covered with a bandage or removed while preparing food. These piercings easily fall into food or spread germs.

7. Wearing Long Necklaces

Long necklaces can swing into food or get caught on equipment and cause accidents. Long necklaces should not be worn in food handling jobs; if they must be worn, shorter necklaces must be tucked into clothing.

8. Not Removing Jewelry During Hand Washing

Even if jewelry is acceptable, it must be removed when hand washing is to occur. Rings, watches, and bracelets are bound to prevent soap and water from the hands at every contact point. Removing them prevents food handlers from thoroughly cleaning their hands, hence assisting to protect food.

Practical guidance for food handlers on Jewellery Policy

  1. Check Workplace Rules: Each workplace may have different rules, so make sure to know and follow them.
  2. Keep It Simple: If you are allowed to wear jewelry, keep it plain and small. Avoid anything that dangles or has extra details.
  3. Regular Cleaning: Clean any allowed jewelry often to reduce germs.
  4. Ask Your Manager: If you are unsure, ask your manager what is allowed. It is always better to double-check.

Conclusion

To most food handlers, safety and hygiene are very significant, and this even cuts across being careful with pieces of jewelry. Wearing the wrong kind of jewelry leads to accidents as germs spread and even get into food. Food handlers should avoid most types of jewelry and only wear really simple jewelry if they can be allowed.

By following these guidelines and avoiding common jewelry mistakes, food handlers can do their part in keeping the kitchen safe and the food clean.