Why must food handlers be aware of their own health status?

Food handlers must be aware of their own health status primarily because illnesses can be transmitted to others through contaminated food. When a food handler is sick, especially with gastrointestinal illnesses, there is a significant risk that pathogens could be transferred to the food they are preparing or serving. This can lead to foodborne illness outbreaks, which pose serious health risks to consumers. Understanding this connection emphasizes the importance of food handlers being symptom-free and healthy while working, as it directly impacts food safety and public health.

While factors such as exhaustion, productivity, and physical safety are important aspects of a food handler's role, they do not directly relate to the critical health risks posed by illnesses. Ensuring that food handlers are not working while ill is a fundamental practice in maintaining food safety standards and protecting customers from potential health hazards.