Food workers who have symptoms of which illness must obtain a physician's approval to return to work?

Food workers who exhibit symptoms of Hepatitis A must obtain a physician's approval to return to work due to the highly contagious nature of the virus and its potential to cause serious illness. Hepatitis A can be transmitted through contaminated food and water, making it crucial for affected individuals to refrain from working in food service until they have received clearance from a healthcare professional. This protocol is essential to protect public health and prevent outbreaks that can arise from improper handling of food by infected employees.

In contrast, while influenza, strep throat, and norovirus are also significant illnesses that can affect food workers, the specific requirement for physician approval primarily applies to Hepatitis A. This highlights the varying levels of risk associated with different foodborne illnesses and the specific protocols designed to minimize those risks in a food service environment.