How long can perishable food be exposed to danger-zone temperatures before it should be discarded?
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More than 2 hours of continuous time or 4 hours of cumulative time.
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How long can perishable food be exposed to danger-zone temperatures before it should be discarded?
More than 2 hours of continuous time or 4 hours of cumulative time.
Why is drying foods an effective preservation method?
Bacteria cannot survive without water; if they dry out, they die.
What happens to microbial growth when food is exposed to danger-zone temperatures?
Microbial growth occurs exponentially, increasing rapidly.
What percentage of accurate identification can PulseNet achieve?
90 to 95%.
What was the incident involving melamine in 2007?
Pet foods manufactured in China were intentionally spiked with melamine to artificially increase protein content.
What are the two main risk factors for foodborne illnesses during storage?
Temperature and the amount of time food stays within a certain temperature.
What should be done with perishable foods that pass their expiration dates?
They should be discarded.
What is the optimal storage temperature for canned goods?
60 to 70ºF (15 to 21ºC).
What is a safer option for food establishments when using eggs in dishes?
Using pasteurized eggs.
What happens to bacteria in contaminated water?
It poses a severe problem for food-service establishments.
What substances can be added to reduce water activity in foods?
Sugar or salt.
What should be done with the juice from marinades used on raw meats?
It should never be reused on new foods unless first brought to a boil.
What factors make foods more prone to bacterial contamination?
Low acid content and sufficient oxygen.
What are the top eight food allergens responsible for 90% of allergies?
Wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and milk.
What should food handlers do after touching frequently contacted surfaces?
Wash their hands again before touching food.
What types of foods are less likely to engender bacterial growth?
Foods that are naturally high in acid (pH < 4.6) are less likely to harbor bacteria compared to low-acid foods (pH > 4.6).
What temperature should hot foods be held at according to the FDA?
At least 135ºF (57ºC).
What strain of E. coli can survive in fresh cider with a pH of 3.7?
One strain of E. coli that poses a risk despite the acidity.
What is the recommended refrigerator temperature for consumers according to the USDA?
40ºF (4ºC) or below.
What is the temperature danger zone for bacterial growth according to the USDA?
40 to 140ºF (4 to 60ºC).
What are some high-risk foods due to their protein and water content?
Meats, meatloaf, hamburgers, salads, and egg dishes.
What should food-service workers do to maintain hygiene regarding their uniforms?
Clean their uniforms frequently, wear caps or hairnets, and avoid jewelry.
Who was 'Typhoid Mary' and what does her story illustrate?
Mary Mallon was a cook who infected many people with typhoid fever, illustrating the importance of hygiene in food handling.
What is a Food Management Certificate?
A certification that ensures food handlers have learned safe food-handling techniques.
What is BSE and where has it been most prevalent?
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is a prion disease most prevalent in Great Britain.
What is the difference between sanitizing and sterilizing?
Sanitizing reduces pathogenic microorganisms by 99.999%, while sterilizing destroys all living organisms.
What type of sink should be used strictly for handwashing?
A separate sink that should never be used for washing foods or utensils.
How can Staphylococcus be transferred in food service?
By workers touching their mouth, nose, or infected cuts and then handling food.
What is the role of periodic retraining in food safety?
To ensure food-service personnel stay updated on sanitation techniques.
What is the FDA's recommendation regarding juices?
The FDA recommends pasteurization for juices to eliminate harmful microorganisms.
What is the maximum safe temperature for freezers?
≤ 0ºF (–18ºC).
What temperature should food be stored at in a freezer?
Below 0ºF (-18ºC).
What is the FDA's recommended pH level to prevent harmful bacteria growth?
Less than 4.6.
What should employees do upon delivery of food shipments?
Inspect the shipments for quantity and quality, check the temperature, and store products at the correct temperature.
What is the flow of food in maintaining food safety?
Starts with purchasing, followed by inspection, storage, pre-preparation, cooking, holding, cooling, reheating, and serving.
What is cross-contamination?
The transfer of harmful microorganisms from one food or surface to another, often occurring during food preparation.
What is melamine and why is it harmful?
Melamine is an industrial chemical used in various products but is harmful when ingested, as it can falsely elevate protein content in food.
What are some examples of physical hazards in food?
Hair, glass, bone, metal, wood, stones, and insects.
What are some potential chemical contaminants in food?
Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, and cleaning products.
What is the significance of emerging infections programs (EIPs)?
Implemented by the CDC in 1994 to address serious outbreaks from new microorganisms.
What is the mortality rate associated with consuming puffer fish?
50%.
Which foods are most commonly associated with foodborne illness in the U.S.?
Leafy vegetables, dairy, fruits and nuts, poultry, and vine-stalk vegetables.
What is a spore in the context of food safety?
An encapsulated, dormant form assumed by some microorganisms that is resistant to environmental factors.
What is the 'first in, first out' (FIFO) rule?
Foods brought into the storage area at an earlier date should be used before those purchased later.
What should be done with suspect cans or foods in unmarked containers?
They should be discarded.
What is PulseNet?
A national network created by the CDC for food safety testing and regulatory agencies that performs DNA fingerprinting of food contaminants.
What are chemical hazards in food?
Any chemical substance hazardous to health, including additives, plant toxins, animal toxins, and certain metals.
What illnesses can be spread through poor hygiene in food handling?
Common cold, mumps, measles, pneumonia, scarlet fever, tuberculosis, trench mouth, diphtheria, influenza, and whooping cough.
What is a common cause of cross-contamination during summer barbecues?
Carrying raw meat on a plate to the barbecue and then placing it back on the same plate after cooking.
How did dog food manufacturers in China misuse melamine?
They added melamine to dog food to falsely increase nitrogen content, making it appear to have sufficient protein.
What are the two standard methods for measuring protein content?
Direct testing for specific properties of proteins and indirect measurement of nitrogen content using Kjeldahl or Dumas methods.
Where do most foodborne illnesses originate?
The majority originate at restaurants.
Why is thawing frozen meat at room temperature considered unsafe?
It can lead to bacterial growth due to the temperature being in the danger zone.
What does the VITAL system stand for in allergen labeling?
Voluntary incidental trace allergen labeling system with three action levels: Green, Yellow, and Red.
What is the role of the U.S. Pharmacopeia regarding food additives?
It publishes the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) to help differentiate safe additives from harmful ones.
What is a common method to reduce the risk of bacterial growth in food packaging?
Vacuum packaging to remove oxygen.
What temperature should refrigerators be maintained at for food safety?
≤ 40ºF (4ºC).
What is the water activity range that puts foods at risk for bacterial growth?
0.85 to 0.97.
What is the general maximum storage time for fresh meats and high-water-content fruits and vegetables?
3 days.
When should gloves be changed in food service?
Whenever they are contaminated or torn.
What is the significance of food-service personnel in food safety?
They are critical to food safety, as improper hygiene can lead to the spread of illnesses.
What are some examples of pathogens that were once not recognized as serious foodborne illness causes?
Campylobacter jejuni, Norovirus, Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio cholerae, and Yersinia enterocolitica.
What is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness?
Failure of employees to wash their hands after using the restroom.
What warning must be placed on untreated juice or cider?
WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and therefore may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.
What is the purpose of allergen labeling requirements?
To ensure that consumers are informed about potential allergens in food products.
Why is it important to use a thermometer in food preparation?
To ensure food is cooked to the correct temperature and to avoid the temperature danger zone.
How does histamine accumulate in fish after they die?
Bacteria multiply and produce enzymes that create histamine on the fish flesh.
Why should refrigerators and freezers be opened only when absolutely necessary?
Frequent door opening decreases their temperature efficiency.
Why is proper storage important for food safety?
Because bacteria grow rapidly in the temperature danger zone.
What types of food should be utilized safely according to the text?
Only pasteurized milk and fruit or vegetable juice, along with a safe water supply.
What are the requirements for purchasing food?
Food should be purchased from safe sources, meet written specifications, and be received in undamaged containers.
What is the conventional method for confirming food contamination?
Culture, which involves growing the organism in a lab until it can be identified.
What should be done to prevent cross-contamination on surfaces?
Surfaces should be regularly washed and sanitized, especially after contact with raw food.
What should be done to ensure effective handwashing?
Use hot, soapy water for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing all parts of the hands.
What distinguishes a food allergy from food intolerance?
A food allergy involves an immune response, while food intolerance does not.
What is the nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor used in protein measurement?
6.25, derived from the average protein containing 16% nitrogen.
What is acrylamide and how is it formed?
Acrylamide is a chemical that can cause cancer in high doses and is formed when certain foods are exposed to high temperatures, requiring sugar and the amino acid asparagine.
What causes red tide and its associated risks?
Rapid growth of reddish marine algae makes shellfish and certain fish poisonous.
What protective measures should be taken for held food?
Held food should be covered or blocked from people by plastic sneeze guards.
What is the preferred method for drying hands after washing?
Using disposable paper towels or an air dryer.
What is a critical step in preventing allergic reactions in consumers?
Prevention of cross-contamination with food allergens.
What are the top five factors associated with foodborne illness?
Food from unsafe sources, poor personal hygiene, inadequate cooking, improper holding time and temperature, and contaminated equipment.
What are the three common mistakes to avoid when heating food?
What is histamine food poisoning and how does it occur?
It occurs due to excessive histamine accumulation in fish, often from improper storage temperatures.
What is ciguatera fish poisoning?
A common form of toxin-related food poisoning caused by eating fish from tropical waters that contain cigua-toxin, which is not destroyed by cooking.
What is the time limit for held food to be sold, served, or discarded?
Within 4 hours.
What does the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) require?
Food manufacturers must label products containing potential allergens with 'Contains' followed by a list of allergens.
What are Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs)?
Guidelines to minimize the risk of contamination in food manufacturing.
What measures did the USDA implement in response to BSE cases?
Tighter regulations to prevent ingestion of contaminated beef, including removal of high-risk materials and a national identification system.
What are the four acceptable methods for thawing food?
What is the minimum internal temperature for cooking meat to ensure safety?
Higher than the minimum consumer standard of 140ºF (60ºC).
What percentage of produce-related outbreaks can be traced to five groups according to the FDA?
More than 75%.
What is the significance of the FDA's actions in China after the melamine scandal?
The FDA established full-time positions in China to improve food safety and prevent similar adulterations in the human food market.