An optical safety interlock is provided for operating a control circuit or control switch that enables operator activation of an electrical appliance such as a food processor. The optical interlock has an emitter for emitting a signal, a detector for detecting the emitted signal, a reflector for relaying the emitted signal to the detector, and an actuator for selectively positioning the reflector in two or more positions. The emitter, detector, and reflector cooperate to close the control switch when the safety interlock is satisfied. The actuator cooperates with the reflector to selectively satisfy the safety interlock.