Food Storage
What temperature should your refrigerator be kept at or below?
40°F
Should you wash raw meat or poultry before preparing it?
No. Washing can spread bacteria around the kitchen.
What should you do before leaving the kitchen after using the stove or oven?
Make sure all burners and the oven are turned off.
What is cross-contamination?
The transfer of harmful bacteria and/or allergen from one food, surface, utensil, or person to another.
When should you wash your hands while preparing food?
Before preparing food, after using the bathroom, after touching raw meat/poultry, after touching your face or hair, after handling trash, and whenever your hands become contaminated.
How long can most leftovers safely be stored in the refrigerator?
3–4 days
What are three safe methods for thawing frozen meat?
In the refrigerator, under cold running water, or in the microwave.
Why should you stay in the kitchen while using the stove?
To monitor the food and heat source and reduce the risk of burns or fires.
Can you use the same cutting board for raw chicken and vegetables without washing it between foods?
No.
How long should you scrub your hands with soap when washing them?
At least 20 seconds.
What is the Temperature Danger Zone?
The range in which bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus can multiply quickly in food, doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. Foods left within this range for too long become unsafe to eat, even if they appear normal.
Why is it important to use a meat thermometer?
You cannot reliably tell if food has reached a safe temperature by looking at it.
What should you use to safely handle hot pans and baking dishes?
Oven mitts or potholders.
You place cooked chicken on the same plate that previously held raw chicken. Is this safe? Why or why not?
No. The plate could transfer harmful bacteria from the raw chicken to the cooked chicken.
What are the basic steps for properly washing your hands?
Wet hands, apply soap, scrub for at least 20 seconds, rinse, and dry with a clean towel.
Extra Credit: What song is helpful to sing to ensure you scrub for at least 20 seconds?
What is the range of temperature for the Temperature Danger Zone?
40°F–140°F
True or False: Harmful bacteria can always be seen with the naked eye.
False
Why should pot and pan handles be turned inward while cooking on the stove?
To prevent accidentally bumping or grabbing the handle and knocking the pan over.
You wash your hands after handling raw chicken, but then touch the refrigerator handle with your dirty hands before washing them. What could happen?
Bacteria can be transferred to the refrigerator handle, which could then spread to other surfaces or foods.
True or False: Wiping a kitchen counter with a dry towel after preparing raw chicken is enough to prevent foodborne illness.
False. The surface should be properly cleaned and sanitized.
Where is the safest place to defrost raw meat in the refrigerator?
On the bottom shelf, in a container or sealed bag to prevent juices from leaking onto other foods.
What information should be included when labeling leftovers before putting them in the refrigerator?
The date the food was made or ordered.
You are cooking on the stove and need to leave the kitchen. What should you do?
Turn off the heat before leaving or have someone take your place until you are able to return.
You prepare raw chicken on the counter, use the same knife to cut vegetables, and then put the vegetables into a salad. What food safety mistakes occurred?
The knife and/or cutting surface may have transferred bacteria from the raw chicken to the vegetables. Raw and ready-to-eat foods should be kept separate, and surfaces and utensils should be properly washed and sanitized between uses.
What water temperature should you use when washing your hands?
Warm or lukewarm water. The temperature should be comfortable and not hot enough to irritate or burn the skin.
***Cold water is still safe and effective for handwashing as long as you use soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds.
Warm water is often recommended because it can feel more comfortable and may help remove oils and grease.