If a food handler comes to work with diarrhea, what should the manager advise?

When a food handler arrives at work with diarrhea, the most responsible course of action is for the manager to advise the employee to go home. This is essential for maintaining food safety standards and preventing potential contamination in the food preparation area. Diarrhea can be a symptom of foodborne illnesses, which pose serious risks not only to the affected individual but also to customers who may consume contaminated food.

Allowing an employee with diarrhea to stay at work—even with limited food handling—could lead to cross-contamination of food, utensils, and surfaces, which compromises the safety of the food being served to customers. Ensuring that the food handler goes home allows them the opportunity to recover fully and prevents the spread of any illnesses they may be experiencing.

Consulting with a healthcare provider is also an important step in addressing health concerns, but going home immediately ensures that the potential spread of illness is curtailed right away. Taking a break to drink fluids may help the food handler feel better temporarily, but it does not address the central issue of preventing food contamination.

In summary, advising the food handler to go home is critical for maintaining a safe food environment and protecting consumer health.