What should be done to cover bandages worn by food employees?

The best practice for covering bandages worn by food employees is to wear a single-use glove over them. This approach is essential for maintaining proper hygiene and preventing contamination in a food handling environment. Bandages, particularly if they include any kind of wound or cut, can harbor bacteria or other pathogens that pose a risk of foodborne illness when exposed to food or food contact surfaces.

By using a single-use glove over the bandage, employees ensure that the bandage remains protected from any food products, while also keeping the food safe from potential contaminants that could escape from the bandage due to its exposed state. This practice allows food employees to maintain their personal safety as well as the safety of the food they are handling, adhering to food safety regulations and guidelines.

The other options do not effectively address the need for protection and sanitation in food handling settings. Leaving bandages exposed can lead to direct contact with food, while cloth bandages are not advisable due to their potential to absorb moisture and harbor bacteria. Removing bandages completely might expose an open wound, which can further risk contamination. Hence, wearing a single-use glove over the bandage is the most hygienic and suitable option.