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CCore · FDA Food Code 2-402.11 · 30-90 days (Core)

How to fix: Employee Not Wearing Hair Restraint

A food handler was observed working without a hat, hair net, or other effective hair restraint.

What this violation means

FDA Food Code 2-402.11 requires that food employees wear hair restraints such as hats, hair coverings, or nets — and beard restraints when applicable — to prevent hair from contacting exposed food or clean equipment. Hair in food is one of the most common consumer complaints in food service and, while it is not typically a direct pathogen transmission route, it can carry bacteria from hands to food if hair is touched during preparation. This Core violation is consistently cited because it is immediately visible to inspectors and signals lack of attention to basic hygiene standards.

Step-by-step: how to fix this before re-inspection

1Purchase hair nets, caps, or hats for every kitchen employee and have them available on-site
2Require all food handlers to put on a hair restraint before entering the food prep area
3Address facial hair with beard covers if inspectors flagged that issue specifically
4Brief all staff on the policy before re-inspection and have them confirm understanding in writing

What the inspector rechecks at re-inspection

WHAT THE INSPECTOR CHECKS

Inspectors do not just look at the surface. For this violation, expect them to verify:

☐Observes all food handlers in the kitchen for hair restraints during the inspection
☐Checks whether employees with facial hair are wearing beard restraints
☐Reviews whether hair restraints are available and accessible to all kitchen employees
☐Looks for posted grooming standards or a food handler hygiene policy

How to prevent this violation from recurring

Include hair restraint requirement in new-hire orientation and post it in the employee break area
Keep a supply of disposable hair nets at the kitchen entrance as a backup
Supervisors should verify hair restraints during pre-shift line checks

Related violations to check

Employee Handwashing — Improper Procedure→Employee Beverage Without Lid in Food Prep Area→
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This document is for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not guarantee a passing re-inspection score. Always verify requirements with your local health department. Fix steps are based on FDA Food Code 2-402.11; individual jurisdictions may have additional requirements.

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