Which scenario is considered a contamination event, requiring a written clean up procedure, according to food safety standards?

A child vomiting before reaching the restaurant bathroom is indeed considered a contamination event that necessitates a written cleanup procedure. This situation is characterized by the potential presence of harmful pathogens in the vomit, which can pose a significant risk of foodborne illness if the area is not properly cleaned and disinfected.

Food safety standards place a high emphasis on ensuring that any bodily fluids, particularly vomit, are addressed immediately with appropriate cleaning protocols to prevent the spread of germs. This includes using specific cleaning agents that effectively eliminate pathogens and following a designated procedure to ensure that all contaminated surfaces are thoroughly sanitized.

In contrast, other scenarios such as a patron spilling a drink or staining a tablecloth with food involve situations that are less likely to introduce pathogens to food-contact surfaces. While cleanliness is always important in food service establishments, these types of spills do not typically carry the same level of health risk that would require a documented cleanup procedure specifically mandated by food safety guidelines. Additionally, when employees are cleaning the floor, it is part of routine operations and maintenance, not a response to an immediate contamination concern demanding an urgent and specific protocol.