What’s the risk of getting sick from eating food prepared or delivered by sick restaurant staff? Can I ensure that my family doesn’t eat contaminated food?

Ask the Nutritionist

What’s the risk of getting sick from eating food prepared or delivered by sick restaurant staff? Can I ensure that my family doesn’t eat contaminated food?

Basic food safety and handling procedures can and do prevent the spread of germs and illness. Restaurants should encourage all employees to stay home if they’re sick, and government regulations require restaurant staff to wash their hands after:

Sneezing or coughing
Using the washroom
Smoking
Handling raw food

We can only hope that eating establishments adhere to these rules, although we know this isn’t always the case. And unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee that the food you eat in a restaurant (or the plate it comes on) has not been touched by a sick chef or server.

But don’t write off Friday nights out just yet: According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), the risk of catching a cold or flu from eating restaurant food is very low or nonexistent -- especially if you have a well-functioning immune system.

For individuals with compromised immune systems (due to AIDS, cancer or other long-term illnesses), the HHS recommends eating primarily at home to avoid potentially contaminated food, plates or cutlery.