Which symptom requires exclusion from work in a food establishment?

• A. Vomiting or diarrhea; also fever with symptoms or jaundice.
• B. Mild headache only.
• C. Sneezing once.
• D. Standing fatigue.

Answer: (A)

Keeping sick employees out of a food establishment is essential to prevent contaminating food. Vomiting or diarrhea signals an infectious gastroenteritis and can spread easily through hands, utensils, and surfaces, so exclusion is necessary until symptoms are resolved or per local guidelines. If fever with symptoms or jaundice is present, those signs also indicate potential infectious or liver-related illness that can contaminate food, warranting exclusion. The other options don’t reflect contagious illness risks: a mild headache alone isn’t a reason to exclude, sneezing once isn’t enough to require exclusion, and standing fatigue isn’t a illness cue for food safety.