Why must food handlers avoid wearing nail polish?

Food handlers must avoid wearing nail polish primarily because it can chip and potentially contaminate food. When nail polish chips off, small particles can break away and fall into food, which poses a significant food safety risk. This type of contamination could lead to health hazards for consumers, especially if they ingest the chipped nail polish, which may contain harmful chemicals.

Maintaining hygiene and preventing contamination is a key principle in food safety practices, and the presence of removable items such as nail polish can compromise this effort. It's essential for food handlers to maintain a clean and safe environment to protect the quality of the food being prepared and served, thereby ensuring customer safety and overall food safety compliance.

The other options do not reflect the primary concern regarding food safety. Nail polish may not enhance the look of food in any beneficial way, concerns about style are irrelevant in a professional kitchen focused on safety, and while allergic reactions could occur, they are not directly related to the prevalence of nail polish affecting food contamination.