§ 46.151. Food contamination prevention.

 (a)  Eating, drinking or using tobacco.

   (1)  General prohibition. An employee may not eat, drink or use any form of tobacco unless the use occurs 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 cannot result. The sole exception to this prohibition is in paragraph (2).

   (2)  Exception for closed beverage containers. A food employee may drink from a closed beverage container if the container is handled to prevent contamination of the following:

     (i)   The employee’s hands.

     (ii)   The container.

     (iii)   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.

   This section cited in 7 Pa. Code §  46.132 (relating to duty to food employees to wash).