What should be done with wounds when preparing food?

Covering wounds properly is essential to maintaining food safety and hygiene in food preparation. When food workers have wounds, particularly on their hands or arms, these can become sources of contamination. Properly covering wounds with a clean, waterproof bandage reduces the risk of pathogens from the wound getting into food or onto food contact surfaces. This practice is vital to comply with health regulations and ensure the safety of the food being prepared.

Leaving wounds uncovered or allowing them to breathe can expose food to harmful bacteria, while ignoring the wounds altogether puts both the worker and the food at risk, even if they do not appear to be actively bleeding. Proper wound management reflects good personal hygiene and is a critical component of safe food handling practices.