What personal protective equipment should food handlers wear?

• A. Caps, aprons, masks, gloves, and shoe covers.
• B. Hair nets and lab coats.
• C. Only gloves.
• D. Face shields and gowns.

Answer: (A)

Protecting food from contamination requires covering multiple potential sources: hair, clothing, hands, respiratory droplets, and footwear. Caps or hair restraints keep hair from falling into food. Aprons protect everyday clothes and help reduce carried contaminants. Masks help limit any contaminants carried by breath or droplets. Gloves provide a barrier between hands and food and should be changed as needed. Shoe covers or dedicated footwear help prevent dirt and pathogens from being tracked into food preparation areas. This combination addresses the main routes of contamination, making it the most comprehensive and appropriate PPE for food handlers.

The other options miss some essential protections: hair nets with lab coats don’t include gloves, masks, or footwear protection; only gloves leave hair, clothing, and feet unprotected; face shields and gowns are not standard for typical food handling and don’t cover all contamination routes.