According to the NYC Health Code, how far must hand-washing sinks be located from food preparation areas?

The requirement for hand-washing sinks to be located within 25 feet of food preparation areas is crucial to maintaining hygiene standards in food service environments. This distance ensures that employees can easily access hand-washing facilities promptly after handling food products, which is essential for preventing cross-contamination and maintaining food safety. Proximity to food preparation areas promotes regular hand-washing, which is a critical practice for reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.

This regulation is based on the understanding that having hand-washing stations readily available encourages compliance with hygiene protocols, including washing hands after using the restroom, handling raw foods, or engaging in any activity that could transfer contaminants to food. Therefore, the 25-foot requirement established by the NYC Health Code is an important part of ensuring safe food handling practices in all food establishments.