Which symptom must a food worker report to her manager?

• A. Vomiting
• B. Headache
• C. Diarrhea
• D. Coughing

Answer: (C)

In food safety, any sign of illness that could indicate a contagious infection must be reported to a supervisor so the worker can be restricted or excluded and the risk to customers can be managed.

Diarrhea is the symptom that must be reported because it directly signals a potential infectious gastroenteric illness. A worker with diarrhea can contaminate food or surfaces through inadequate hand hygiene, creating a clear risk of spreading pathogens to customers. Reporting allows the manager to take immediate action—excluding or restricting the employee and arranging proper medical evaluation and coverage—so the food you serve stays safe.

Headache or coughing can indicate illness but don’t carry the same direct, high-risk implication for contaminating food as diarrhea does. Vomiting is also a serious red flag in many policies, but the emphasis here is on diarrhea as the definite reportable symptom.