Yikes, I Found a Hair in My Food – Should I Be Concerned?

Everyone has likely experienced that unpleasant moment: you’re enjoying your meal when you suddenly notice a stray hair on your plate. Your initial reaction might be pure disgust, but many people also start to wonder—could this be dangerous? And what happens if you accidentally swallow a hair from your food?

We interviewed Anja Pouttu, a hygiene passport trainer and examiner, to get expert insights on the matter. She also shares a useful tip for those taking the hygiene passport test!

Hair in Food – Just an Aesthetic Issue?

In most cases, finding a hair in your food is merely an aesthetic nuisance and poses no health risk. Human hair is primarily composed of keratin, which is biologically inert and does not pose a direct threat to the body.

But what if the hair carries bacteria? This is where Staphylococcus aureus enters the picture—one potential risk when it comes to food contamination.

Staphylococcus Aureus – The Invisible Risk

S. aureus is a common bacterium naturally found on human skin, nasal membranes, and hands. The bacterium itself is not automatically harmful, but certain strains produce enterotoxins, which can cause food poisoning.

How Can a Hair Spread Bacteria?

• Through Contact: If the hair falls from someone who hasn’t practiced proper hand hygiene, it could carry bacteria.
• Poor Hygiene Practices: In food preparation, hair should always be covered, as it can fall into food and introduce contaminants.
• Improper Storage: If food is left at room temperature for too long, bacteria can multiply and produce toxins that won’t be destroyed even by heating.

What Happens If I Accidentally Swallow a Hair?

The good news is that swallowing a single hair is unlikely to cause any harm. Stomach acids and digestive enzymes break down most bacteria, making it relatively safe.

However, if the food contains toxins produced by S. aureus, symptoms can appear within a few hours, including:

• Sudden nausea and vomiting
• Headache and stomach cramps
• In rare cases, diarrhea

These symptoms typically resolve on their own within a few days, but staying hydrated is crucial, especially if experiencing severe vomiting.

How to Prevent Hair in Food and Potential Risks?

While a single hair on your plate is not a disaster, maintaining good food hygiene is crucial for ensuring food safety. Here are some essential tips:

• Wear a hairnet or other protection while handling food.
• Avoid touching your hair, face, and nose during food preparation.
• Wash your hands before handling food and use clean utensils.
• Store food at the right temperature – keep hot food at +60°C or higher and cold food below +6°C.
• Minimize unnecessary handling of food with bare hands.

Expert Interview: Anja Pouttu on Food Hygiene

We interviewed Anja Pouttu, a hygiene passport examiner from Hygieniapassi.fi. She is a home economics teacher by training and has worked as a hygiene trainer and examiner at Osaamistehdas since 2014.

What Should You Do If You Find a Hair in Your Food?

Ideally, hair should never be found in food if it has been prepared by a professional. This applies to both industrially produced foods and restaurant meals. If it does happen, it's a mistake.

As a customer, you should inform the food provider. When it comes to ready-made meals, many people react with disgust but don’t file an official complaint. However, if there is a physical risk factor—such as hair—it is always recommended to report it. In a restaurant, the customer has the right to request a new dish. Finding a hair may also impact the overall dining experience and whether someone chooses to return to that restaurant.

Can Hair Spread Bacteria?

Hair in food is a physical risk factor. In food handling, nothing from an employee should get into the food—neither microbes nor physical contaminants. While hair itself is not a major bacterial risk, it can indicate poor hygiene, which reduces consumer confidence in food safety.

Staphylococcus bacteria are always present on human skin, which is why hand hygiene is crucial, especially when handling cold-served foods. Protective gloves help shield food from hands rather than the other way around. The biggest risk comes from open wounds that can secrete tissue fluid into food or from workers touching their nasal membranes or facial acne. Bacteria can multiply if food is stored at the wrong temperature or left out for too long. For instance, Staphylococcus aureus can produce toxins that withstand heat, meaning that even if the bacteria are destroyed by cooking, their toxins can remain in the food. That’s why workers with infected wounds should always consult occupational health services and avoid handling unpackaged, cold-served foods.

Should Hair Be Covered While Handling Food?

Absolutely. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that employees follow hair protection guidelines according to their specific job roles. For example, café workers should keep their hair neatly tied back, while food industry workers should wear a hair cover that completely contains all hair—no loose curls allowed.

There is no universal legal requirement for hair protection in food legislation because different jobs have different requirements. It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that protective headgear meets the standards of their specific food environment.

Employees should also avoid brushing their hair while wearing work clothes or adjusting their hair once they have entered food preparation areas. Hair should be secured first, followed by donning work attire to prevent stray hairs from contaminating clothing and food.

Hygiene Passport Exam Tip!

Since there is no law mandating the use of head covers, the hygiene passport test will use wording such as ‘should,’ ‘ought to,’ and ‘recommended.’ Many people make mistakes in the test by assuming that head covers are a legal requirement!

Final Thoughts – Should You Panic?

If you find a hair in your food, your first reaction may be disgust, but it is usually not a health concern. However, maintaining strict hygiene in the kitchen is essential to prevent bacteria and toxins from contaminating food.

So next time you discover a hair on your plate, remember—it’s not the end of the world. But it could be a sign of deeper hygiene issues in the kitchen.

Clean kitchen, clean food – and most importantly, hair-free plates!

Interested in Getting Your Hygiene Passport?

Would you like to learn more about food hygiene and earn your hygiene passport? Study the theory and practice with the Trainify app, then sign up for your hygiene passport exam here.