(a) Except as specified in subdivision (b), all employees shall thoroughly wash their hands and that portion, if any, of their arms exposed to direct food contact with cleanser and warm water by vigorously rubbing together the surfaces of their lathered hands and arms for at least 10 to 15 seconds and thoroughly rinsing with clean running water followed by drying of cleaned hands and that portion, if any, of their arms exposed. Employees shall pay particular attention to the areas underneath the fingernails and between the fingers. Employees shall wash their hands in all of the following instances:

(1) Immediately before engaging in food preparation, including working with nonprepackaged food, clean equipment and utensils, and unwrapped single-use food containers and utensils.

(2) After touching bare human body parts other than clean hands and clean, exposed portions of arms.

(3) After using the toilet room.

(4) After caring for or handling any animal allowed in a food facility pursuant to this part.

(5) After coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue, using tobacco, eating, or drinking.

(6) After handling soiled equipment or utensils.

(7) During food preparation, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross-contamination when changing tasks.

(8) When switching between working with raw food and working with ready-to-eat food.

(9) Before initially donning gloves for working with food.

(10) Before dispensing or serving food or handling clean tableware and serving utensils in the food service area.

(11) After engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands.

(b) If approved and capable of removing the types of soils encountered in the food operations involved, an automatic handwashing facility may be used by food employees to clean their hands.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 556, Sec. 7. (AB 1252) Effective January 1, 2014.)