20 CAR § 191-401 – Food contamination prevention

(a) Eating, drinking, or using tobacco.*
1. (1) Except as specified in subdivision (a)(2) of this section, an employee shall eat, drink, or use any form of tobacco only in designated areas where the contamination of exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, and linens, unwrapped single-service and single-use articles, or other items needing protection can result.
2. (2) A food employee may drink from a closed beverage container if the container is handled to prevent contamination of:
  1. (A) The employee’s hands;
  2. (B) The container; and
  3. (C) Exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, and linens, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles.
(b) Discharges from the eyes, nose, and mouth.* Food employees experiencing persistent sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose that causes discharges from the eyes, nose, or mouth may not work with exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, and linens, or unwrapped single-service or single-use articles.