What is a requirement for light bulbs in food exposure areas?

In food exposure areas, using coated, shielded, or shatter-resistant bulbs is essential to ensure safety and hygiene. These types of lights minimize the risk of glass shattering and contaminating food. If a bulb breaks, the resulting glass shards could pose a significant hazard in environments where food is prepared or displayed, leading to potential injury or food contamination.

Coated and shielded bulbs also help prevent food from coming into direct contact with any hazardous materials that could be released if the bulb were to break. Additionally, these bulbs often have protective features that help contain any fragments, ensuring that they do not scatter across food preparation areas.

Other types of bulbs, such as standard bulbs emitting high heat or open-style bulbs, do not provide the same level of safety and can create hazards related to both heat and breakage. Fluorescent bulbs with low intensity do not address the risk of breakage adequately, nor do they meet the safety standards necessary for environments where food is exposed. Therefore, the requirement for light bulbs in food exposure areas is specifically focused on ensuring safety through the use of coated, shielded, or shatter-resistant options.