Hepatitis A Prevention Guide for Memphis Food Service

Sanitation Protocols & Hand Hygiene Requirements

Hepatitis A spreads primarily through contaminated food prepared by infected workers with poor hand hygiene. Shelby County Health Department enforces FDA Food Code standards requiring handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds—especially after restroom use, before food prep, and between tasks. Install handwashing stations in visible areas, use signage to reinforce frequency, and document compliance via daily logs. Single-use paper towels are mandatory; air dryers increase pathogen dispersal. Require staff to wash hands even when wearing gloves, as gloves can tear and create false confidence in safety.

Employee Health Screening & Reporting

The Shelby County Health Department mandates that food service employees report symptoms including jaundice, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting to management immediately. Hepatitis A has a 15–50 day incubation period, so asymptomatic carriers can unknowingly transmit the virus. Establish a clear policy requiring workers to stay home if symptomatic or after a confirmed exposure. Document all illness reports and maintain confidentiality while alerting your health department if Hepatitis A is confirmed. Consider pre-employment health questionnaires and post-hire training on recognizing Hepatitis A symptoms and the 48-hour exclusion period following symptom onset.

Temperature Control & Cross-Contamination Prevention

While Hepatitis A is inactivated by heat (56°C for 30 minutes or 65°C for instant kill), raw and ready-to-eat foods are highest-risk if handled by infected employees. Implement separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and ready-to-eat foods to prevent cross-contamination during prep. Maintain cold food storage at 41°F or below and hot food above 135°F per FDA standards adopted by Shelby County. Train prep staff that Hepatitis A survives refrigeration and freezing, so proper cooking temperature and employee hygiene—not temperature alone—are critical defenses. Shelby County health inspectors verify time-temperature logs during routine inspections; maintain accurate records to demonstrate compliance.

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