If a person working in a food processing, handling, or serving facility has the flu, is any special cleaning of the facility required?

No.  Routine cleaning and disinfecting are adequate to destroy flu viruses. Flu viruses can be spread when a person touches a surface where infected droplets have been deposited and then touches his or her nose, eyes or mouth. Flu viruses can survive on hard surfaces for two to eight hours, so you should routinely clean surfaces and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact.

Use the cleaning agents and procedures that are usually used in these areas, and follow the directions on the label.  Certain cleaning/disinfecting products are specifically registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for killing influenza A viruses (see product label for details).

Please note, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers a list of sterilizers and antimicrobial products that are registered with the EPA. You may access these lists at the following links:

"Antimicrobial Products Registered for Use Against Influenza A Virus on Hard Surfaces" http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/influenza-a-product-list.pdf

"Antimicrobial Products Registered for Use Against the H1N1 Flu and Other Influenza A Viruses on Hard Surfaces" http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/influenza-disinfectants.html

General information about antimicrobial pesticides.

Influenza virus, or the flu virus, is also destroyed by exposure to heat of 167 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit (75 to 100 degrees Centigrade).

Last Reviewed: 07/07/2011

• Should food employees with the flu, or those who have family members who have the flu, be permitted to work?
• Should food preparers alter cooking methods to decrease the risk of spreading a flu virus?
• Should people working in food processing, handling, or serving facilities wear face masks or N95 respirators to prevent the spread of flu?
• Could a sick restaurant or retail worker, or other food handler, transmit flu virus to customers in a restaurant, supermarket, or other food-service venue?

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