When can food handlers return to work after experiencing illness?

Food handlers can return to work after being symptom-free for at least 24 hours because this guideline helps minimize the risk of spreading foodborne illnesses to customers and coworkers. This duration ensures that the person has adequately recovered and is less likely to transmit any pathogens they may have been carrying. Feeling better or taking medication does not guarantee that the illness is no longer contagious, as symptoms can subside while the individual may still harbor infectious agents. Additionally, relying on a coworker to take over a shift does not address the fundamental issue of preventing the spread of illness through food handling. Therefore, the 24-hour symptom-free rule is a critical practice to protect public health in food service environments.