Control Measures for Food Handlers

PURPOSE: This rule establishes control measures for persons working with food products who are suspected of having a communicable disease. (1) For the purpose of this rule, a communicable disease is defined as a disease transmitted through handling food. (2) No person infected with a communicable disease, whether actively infected or a chronic carrier, and no person with any one (1) of the signs and symptoms listed in this section, shall engage in the production, preparation, manufacture, packaging, storage, sale, distribution or transportation of food. The following signs and symptoms indicate infection with a foodborne pathogen: diarrhea, vomiting, open skin sores, boils, fever, dark urine or jaundice, unless determined not to be caused by a pathogen able to be transmitted by food. The local health authority, the director of the Department of Health or the director’s designated representative may order examinations necessary to determine the presence of a foodborne infection. (3) Notice shall be sent immediately to the local health authority, to the director of the Department of Health or to the director’s designated representative by any person responsible for the production, preparation, manufacture, packaging, storage, sale, distribution or transportation of food if any infection or disease known to be transmissible through food occurs on the premises or among the employees. (4) When the possibility of transmission of infection is suspected in any person engaged in the production, preparation, manufacture, packaging, storage, sale, distribution or transportation of food; the local health authority, the director of the Department of Health or the director’s designated representative is authorized to require any of the following measures: (A) The immediate exclusion of that person from the production, preparation, manufacture, packaging, storage, sale, distribution or transportation of food; (B) The immediate exclusion of the food supply concerned from distribution and use; and (C) Adequate medical examination of that person and his/ her associates, including necessary laboratory testing of blood, feces, sputum, throat cultures and other bodily secretions or excreta. AUTHORITY: sections 192.005.2., 192.020, 196.045 and 196.225, RSMo 1994.* This rule was previously filed as 13 CSR 50-101.071. Original rule filed Dec. 11, 1981, effective May 13, 1982. Amended: Filed Nov. 4, 1992, effective May 6, 1993. *Original authority: 192.005.2., RSMo 1985, amended 1993; 192.020, RSMo 1939, amended 1945, 1951; 196.045, RSMo 1943, amended 1993; and 196.225, RSMo 1939, amended 1977.