ServSafe Quiz: Ideal Food for Bacterial Growth

Questions and Answers

Which food items require time and temperature control for safety?

Baked potatoes (correct)

Steaks

Cantaloupe

Raw chicken

Which type of food has a pH that is ideal for bacterial growth?

Frozen yogurt

Potato salad

Cantaloupe (correct)

Steak

Salmonella Typhi lives only in.

humans.

How can an operation control the growth of bacteria?

Limit the time food spends in the temperature danger zone. Signup and view all the answers

How can hepatitis A and norovirus gastroenteritis be prevented?

Practicing personal hygiene. Signup and view all the answers

How can foodborne illnesses caused by parasites best be prevented?

Purchase products from approved suppliers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important prevention method taken by an operation to avoid seafood toxins?

Purchase seafood from approved, reputable suppliers. Signup and view all the answers

Which bacteria can contaminate meat during slaughtering?

Salmonella Typhi. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of TCS food items?

They need time and temperature control to limit the growth of bacteria. Signup and view all the answers

How can an operation prevent foodborne illness from molds and yeasts?

Throw out food containing mold and yeast. Signup and view all the answers

TCS food has been time-temperature abused anytime it remains between ______.

41 degrees F and 135 degrees F. Signup and view all the answers

What should be used to check the internal temperature of thin food, such as meat or fish patties?

Penetration probe. Signup and view all the answers

When different types of food must be prepped on the same table, which of these types of food should be prepped first to minimize the risk of cross-contamination?

Ready-to-eat food. Signup and view all the answers

When using the boiling-point method for calibration, what is the first step of the process?

Bring clean tap water to a boil in a deep pan. Signup and view all the answers

When using the ice-point method to calibrate a thermometer, what should the temperature reading be set to?

32 degrees F. Signup and view all the answers

Where is a time-temperature indicator (TTI) most commonly found?

Attached to the packaging of a food shipment. Signup and view all the answers

Which is a strategy for reducing the risk of cross-contamination?

Buying prepared food. Signup and view all the answers

Which is a strategy for reducing the risk of time-temperature abuse?

Limit the amount of TCS food that can be removed from a cooler when prepping it. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of probe would be used to check the temperature inside coolers and ovens?

Air. Signup and view all the answers

Why do glass thermometers require special care when being handled?

They are relatively fragile and can become a physical contaminant if they break. Signup and view all the answers

A storage unit has four cans of tomatoes with the following use-by dates: January 1, February 1, March 1, and April 1. Using first-in, first-out (FIFO), which can of tomatoes should be stored in front and used first?

January 1. Signup and view all the answers

Ready-to-eat TCS food items must be date marked if they are to be held longer than ______.

24 hours. Signup and view all the answers

To prevent contamination, supplies should be stored ______.

away from walls. Signup and view all the answers

Which is an acceptable location for storing TCS food?

Cooler units Signup and view all the answers

What is the proper discard date to mark on a dish with combined food, such as soup made with multiple pre-cooked items?

Earliest use-by date of the combined food items. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why food should not be stored in lockers or dressing rooms?

It risks contamination. Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct way to store shell eggs?

Keep the shell eggs at an air temperature of 45 degrees F or lower. Signup and view all the answers

Why should freezer units be defrosted regularly?

Keeps the unit working more efficiently. Signup and view all the answers

Food is rotated in order to maintain quality and to ______.

limit the growth of pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

What products should be stored in the coldest part of the cooler?

Meat. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with food during the freezer defrosting process?

Move to another freezer during the process. Signup and view all the answers

What do bubbles in reduced oxygen packaged foods typically indicate?

Possible presence of the pathogen Clostridium botulinum. Signup and view all the answers

When storing multiple, raw food items in a cooler, what item should be placed on the lowest shelf?

Poultry. Signup and view all the answers

Why does overloading coolers or freezers affect freezer performance and cause a safety issue?

Prevents good airflow to food items. Signup and view all the answers

What type of risk could result from using ice to keep chicken cold, and then using the same ice to cool a beverage?

Cross-contamination. Signup and view all the answers

Reheat commercially processed and packaged food to an internal temperature of at least ______.

135 degrees F. Signup and view all the answers

When taking the temperature of TCS food with a bimetallic stem thermometer, how long should the internal temperature hold in order for the read to be accurate?

15 seconds. Signup and view all the answers

Previously cooked TCS food that has been reheated for hot-holding must be heated to what internal temperature for 15 seconds?

165 degrees F. Signup and view all the answers

The total cooling time for food to get from 135 degrees F to 70 degrees F should not exceed ______.

2 hours. Signup and view all the answers

How can heat be better distributed during microwave cooking?

By stirring the food halfway through the cooking process. Signup and view all the answers

What is the best way to check to make sure food cooked in a microwave is thoroughly cooked?

Check the temperature in at least two places. Signup and view all the answers

Which is a guideline to follow when preparing chicken salads to keep food safe?

Chill all ingredients before making the chicken salad. Signup and view all the answers

What process should be followed when using a microwave to thaw food?

Cook food immediately after thawing. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these food items would be acceptable to serve a high-risk population?

Grilled chicken Signup and view all the answers

What kind of raw food has the highest risk of being contaminated by shiga toxin-producing E. coli O145:H7?

Ground beef. Signup and view all the answers

Which food item needs to be cooked at the highest temperature in order to be safe?

Ground duck. Signup and view all the answers

How should partially cooked food be cooked again before serving it?

Heat the food to its required minimum internal temperature before selling or serving. Signup and view all the answers

According to the regulatory authority, what must be done with food items that have been partially cooked?

Marked to indicate additional cooking needed. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of trying to quickly cool heated food?

To move it through the temperature danger zone before pathogens grow. Signup and view all the answers

After thawing food as part of the cooking process, what should be done before serving it?

Verify the final internal cooking temperature with a thermometer. Signup and view all the answers

Is the built-in temperature gauge on a holding unit suitable to check food temperatures?

False Signup and view all the answers

Hot food in a vending machine must be held at ______.

135 degrees F or higher. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum internal temperature at which cold food should be held before removing it from refrigeration?

41 degrees F. Signup and view all the answers

At a minimum, how often should food temperature be checked?

At least every four hours. Signup and view all the answers

If leftovers are sent home with a catering company's customers, what must be sent along with the food?

Directions on how to store and reheat the food. Signup and view all the answers

When taking cold food out of the cooler and holding it without temperature control, the food must be labeled with the time it was removed and when it must be ______.

discarded. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the first steps to take if delivery vehicles are not holding food at the correct temperature?

Explore possible ways to shorten the overall delivery routes. Signup and view all the answers

What does a manager need to know if planning on holding food without temperature control?

Food can be held without temperature control if set conditions are met. Signup and view all the answers

What should a manager know about vending machine food items safety?

Fresh fruit with edible peels should be washed and wrapped before being put into the machine. Signup and view all the answers

The longer the time period between food preparation and consumption, the ______.

greater the chance of possible contamination. Signup and view all the answers

How should glasses be correctly handled?

Held by the middle, bottom, or stem. Signup and view all the answers

When can raw unpackaged meat, seafood, and poultry be offered for self-service in a restaurant?

If they will be cooked and eaten immediately on the premises. Signup and view all the answers

What should a food handler know about the safe use of serving utensils?

Separate serving utensils should be used for serving each food item. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done in order to minimize customers contaminating self-service areas?

Stock food displays with the correct serving utensils. Signup and view all the answers

After four hours, a server checked the holding temperature of the cold tuna salad in the buffet. It was ______.

Throw it out. Signup and view all the answers

Temporary units that serve food should be constructed ______.

to keep dirt and pests out. Signup and view all the answers

Which food item is permissible to re-serve to customers?

Unopened cracker packages Signup and view all the answers

Which is an approved method of handling ready-to-eat food?

Wear single-use gloves to put a pickle on a plate. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Time and Temperature Control

Food items like baked potatoes require time and temperature control for safety.
TCS (Time-Temperature Controlled for Safety) foods must be monitored to prevent bacteria growth.

Bacterial Growth

Cantaloupe has a pH level ideal for bacterial growth.
Salmonella Typhi, a harmful bacteria, exclusively resides in humans.

Bacteria Prevention Measures

Limit food's time in the temperature danger zone (41°F to 135°F) to control bacteria proliferation.
Practice personal hygiene to prevent hepatitis A and norovirus gastroenteritis.
Purchase from approved suppliers to prevent foodborne illnesses caused by parasites.

Seafood and Bacterial Contaminants

The primary method to avoid seafood toxins is buying seafood from reputable suppliers.
Salmonella Typhi can contaminate meat during the slaughtering process.

Characteristics of TCS Foods

TCS foods need time and temperature control to minimize bacterial growth.
Foods can be legally stored if labeled, ensuring safety and freshness.

Storage and Food Safety

First-in, first-out (FIFO) strategy helps in using older stock first, maintaining freshness.
Ready-to-eat TCS foods must be date marked if held longer than 24 hours.
Always store food away from walls to prevent contamination and air exposure.

Cooking and Reheating Temperatures

Various food items require specific internal temperatures for safety:
- Ground duck has the highest cooking temperature for safety.
- TCS food must be reheated to at least 165°F before serving.
Commercially processed foods should be reheated to a minimum of 135°F.

Cooling and Thawing Practices

Quick cooling from 135°F to 70°F should not exceed two hours to prevent pathogen growth.
When using a microwave for thawing, food must be cooked immediately afterward.
During cooling, food should never be stored in a freezer without proper precautions.

Cross-Contamination and Personal Hygiene

Ice used to keep chicken cold should not be reused for beverages to prevent cross-contamination.
Handle serving utensils correctly to maintain hygiene in self-service areas, utilizing separate utensils for different foods.

Vending Machines and Customer Safety

Hot food in vending machines must be held at 135°F or higher; cold food should not exceed 41°F.
Customers should be informed about how to store and reheat any leftovers taken home.

General Safety Recommendations

Check internal temperatures of cold food at least every four hours to ensure safety.
Use middle, bottom, or stem of glasses when handling them.
Unopened craker packages are permissible to re-serve to customers.

Equipment and Food Handling

Store raw food items, like poultry, at the bottom shelf in coolers to prevent contamination of other foods.
Glass thermometers require careful handling due to their fragility and contamination risk.

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Description

Test your knowledge on food safety and hygiene with this quiz from the ServSafe curriculum. Covering critical chapters on food items requiring temperature control and the prevention of bacterial growth, this quiz prepares you for real-world food safety challenges.

ServSafe Misc. Chapters 2, 5, 7-9 Quiz