Hepatitis A Prevention Guide for Nashville Food Service

Hand Hygiene & Sanitation Protocols

The FDA Food Code mandates hand washing after restroom use, handling raw foods, and touching face, hair, or clothing. In Nashville food service, bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods is prohibited under Metro Health regulations. Establishments must provide hot and cold running water, soap, and disposable towels at all hand-washing stations. Hepatitis A virus can survive on surfaces for hours; use EPA-approved disinfectants on food-contact and high-touch surfaces every 4 hours. Train staff to wash hands for at least 20 seconds with friction, especially between tasks.

Employee Health Screening & Reporting Requirements

Metro Public Health Department requires food service employees to report gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, jaundice, abdominal pain) immediately. Employees with confirmed or suspected Hepatitis A must be excluded from work and report to the health department. Tennessee Code Annotated §68-221-703 mandates exclusion until 1 week after symptom onset for non-foodborne sources. Implement a health attestation policy where staff confirm symptom-free status before each shift. Keep documentation of health reports and exclusions for at least 2 years to demonstrate compliance during health inspections.

Nashville-Specific Health Department Guidance & Compliance

The Metro Public Health Department conducts unannounced inspections and requires permits for all food service operations. They specifically evaluate hand-washing facilities, employee training records, and food storage practices during Hepatitis A risk assessments. Nashville requires completion of food handler certification (ServSafe or equivalent) for all staff; certificates must be visible during inspections. Subscribe to Metro Health's alert system and the FDA's outbreak notification channels to stay informed of regional cases. Maintain an inspection-ready sanitation log documenting daily temperature checks, chemical concentration tests, and surface disinfection to demonstrate proactive prevention.

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