ARTICLE 6. Hygienic Practices [113973. - 113978.]

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC 6.
in effect

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 113973. Section 113973.

(a) Single-use nonlatex gloves shall be worn when contacting food and food-contact surfaces if the employee has any cuts, sores, rashes, artificial nails, nail polish, rings, other than a plain ring, such as a wedding band, uncleanable orthopedic support devices, or fingernails that are not clean, smooth, or neatly trimmed. (b) Whenever gloves are worn, they shall be changed, replaced, or washed as often as handwashing is required by this part. Single-use gloves shall not be washed. (c) If used, single-use gloves shall be used for only one task, such as working with ready-to-eat food or with raw food of animal origin, used for no other purpose, and shall be discarded when damaged or soiled, or when interruptions in the food handling occur. (d) Except as specified in subdivision (e), nonlatex, slash-resistant gloves that are used to protect the hands during operations requiring cutting shall be used only with food that is subsequently cooked as specified in Section 114004, such as frozen food or a primal cut of meat. (e) Nonlatex, slash-resistant gloves may be used with ready-to-eat food that will not be subsequently cooked if the slash-resistant gloves have a smooth, durable, and nonabsorbent outer surface or if the slash-resistant gloves are covered with a smooth, durable, nonabsorbent glove, or a single-use glove. (f) Cloth gloves may not be used in direct contact with food unless the food is subsequently cooked. (g) The use of latex gloves is prohibited in food facilities and retail food establishments. Types of nonlatex gloves that may be used in a food facility or retail food establishment include, but are not limited to, nitrile, polyethylene, and vinyl.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 113974. Section 113974.

Food employees experiencing, while at work in a food facility, persistent sneezing, coughing, or runny nose that is associated with discharges from the eyes, nose, or mouth, and that cannot be controlled by medication, shall not work with exposed food; clean equipment, utensils, or linens; or unwrapped single-use utensils.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 113975. Section 113975.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), an employee who has a wound that is open or draining shall not handle food. (b) A food employee who has a wound is restricted from food handling unless the food employee complies with all of the following: (1) If the wound is located on the hand or wrist, an impermeable cover, such as a finger cot or stall, shall protect the wound. A single-use glove shall be worn over the impermeable cover. (2) If the wound is located on exposed portions of the arms, an impermeable cover shall protect the wound. (3) If the wound is located on other parts of the body, a dry, durable, tight-fitting bandage shall cover the wound. (4) For purposes of this section, a wound also includes a cut, sore, rash, or lesion.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 113976. Section 113976.

Unless a utensil used to taste food is discarded after the first time it is used for this purpose and before the next tasting or any other use, the utensil shall be washed, rinsed, and sanitized pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 114095) between tastings and before any other use.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 113977. Section 113977.

(a) Except as specified in subdivision (b), an employee shall eat, drink, or use any form of tobacco only in designated areas where contamination of nonprepackaged food; clean equipment, utensils, and linens; unwrapped single-use articles; or other items needing protection cannot result. (b) A food employee may drink from a closed beverage container if the container is handled to prevent contamination of the employee’s hands, the container, nonprepackaged food, and food-contact surfaces.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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