When to wash

Food employees shall clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms as specified under 2VAC5-585-140 immediately before engaging in food preparation including working with exposed food, clean equipment and utensils, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles P and: 1. After touching bare human body parts other than clean hands and clean, exposed portions of arms; P 2. After using the toilet room; P 3. After caring for or handling service animals or aquatic animals as allowed under 2VAC5-585-250 B; P 4. Except as specified in 2VAC5-585-220 B, after coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue, using a tobacco product, eating, or drinking; P 5. After handling soiled equipment or utensils; P 6. During food preparation, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross contamination when changing tasks; P 7. When switching between working with raw food and working with ready-to-eat food; P 8. Before donning gloves to initiate a task that involves working with food; P and 9. After engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands. P Statutory Authority: § 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia. Historical Notes: Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2 , eff. October 16, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22 , eff. July 12, 2016; Volume 41, Issue 10 , eff. February 13, 2025.