Food Safety and Sanitation

Cooking Safety

100

What are the 4 steps to food safety and sanitation? 

Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill 

200

How should food be thawed? 

• Never thaw food at room temperature, such as on the counter top. There are three safe ways to defrost food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave. Food thawed in cold water or in the microwave should be cooked immediately.

300

How can you tell that a food is cooked properly?

The only way to tell if food is safely cooked is to use a food thermometer. You can't tell if food is safely cooked by checking its color and texture (except for seafood). 

400

What are signs of food spoilage?

A change in smell, color, or texture, such as a foul odor, discoloration, sliminess, or mold. Other indicators are an unnatural taste, or physical changes in packaging like bulging cans or foamy liquid.

500

When and for how long should you wash your hands when handling food?

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm or cold water before, during, and after preparing food and before eating.

• Always wash hands after handling uncooked meat, chicken and other poultry, seafood, flour, or eggs.

Package Labels and Claims

100

What does the 'best by' date on a package mean?

The last day a food product is expected to be at its peak quality, such as best flavor and texture, not its safety. The product is still safe to eat after this date, though its quality may have declined. 

It is generally safe to consume food after this date, as long as the packaging is intact and the food has been stored properly.

For example: canned goods can last for years, and even if past the "best by" date, they are often still safe as long as the can is in good condition.

200

What does the 'sell by' date on a package mean?

This date is for retailers to manage inventory and is not related to food safety. 

You can eat food after the sell-by date. For example, dairy products are good for 1 week after the sell-by date. Eggs are safe for 3 to 5 weeks after the sell-by date. 

300

What does the 'use by' date on a package mean?

This is a more direct indicator of safety and is the last day the manufacturer recommends using the product.

400

What does the 'expiration date' mean?

An expiration date on food is primarily a manufacturer's guideline for peak quality, not a strict safety cutoff, and is not federally regulated (except for infant formula). It indicates the last day the product is expected to be at its best in terms of flavor, texture, and freshness. For most foods, using your senses to check for spoilage (like off odors, colors, or textures) is a more reliable indicator of safety than the printed date.

500

What does 'freeze by' date mean?

A "freeze by" date is the last day a product should be frozen to maintain its best quality and safety, not to be confused with a "use by" date which is a safety date. Freezing food acts as a pause button on spoilage, preventing bacterial growth. By freezing a product before its "freeze by" date, you can effectively extend its quality and shelf life, but always ensure the food is frozen at the correct temperature (0°F or -18°C) to stop the "clock" on the quality decline. 

• Quality, Not Safety:A "freeze by" date indicates when to freeze a product for optimal taste and texture, not when it becomes unsafe. 

Temperature Danger Zone

100

What is the temperature danger zone? 

The Danger Zone is the temperature range between 40 °F (4.4 ºC) and 140 °F (60 ºC)  in which bacteria can grow rapidly.

200

Who is at highest risk for foodbourne illness? 

Anyone can get a foodborne illness but some individuals are at a higher risk of severe illness. These groups include pregnant individuals, young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Even small amounts of bacteria in food can cause a severe reaction.

300

Refrigerate foods within how many hours after grocery shopping? 

2 hours, or 1 hour if the air temperature is >90 degrees F. 

400

How do you properly check the temperature of food? 

Place the food thermometer in the thickest part of the food to read the temperature. 

Leftovers

100

How do you safety reheat food in the microwave? 

• When cooking in a microwave oven, cover food, stir, and rotate for even cooking. If there is no turntable, rotate the dish by hand once or twice during cooking. Always allow standing time, which completes the cooking, before checking the internal temperature with a food thermometer.
• Leftovers and casseroles should be heated to an internal temperature of 165°F. 

200

How should leftovers be stored?

Leftovers should be placed in shallow containers and refrigerated promptly to allow quick cooling. 

300

How long are leftovers safe to eat after being refrigerated? 

On average 3-4 days, but this can vary depending on the food. 

400

To what internal temperature should you reheat ground meats to?

Ground meats, such as beef and pork: 160°F

500

Why is it important to follow directions to “Let stand for x minutes after cooking,” when microwaving food?

Letting microwaved food sit for a few minutes allows food to cook thoroughly as colder areas absorb heat from hotter areas.

Can I eat it?

100

What fruits/veggies can I eat if it has mold on it? 

You can eat moldy firm fruits like apples, pears, and carrots if you cut away the moldy part. 

With berries, The USDA says that a little bit of mold will not ruin the whole bunch. If you find some mold in your fruit, throw those pieces away and any pieces directly touching them. Make sure the remaining berries don’t have signs of mold or aren’t extra mushy. Then you can wash the rest of the fruit and and enjoy.

200

How much space around mold should you cut off before eating the remainder of the food item? 

At least an inch around it.

300

What produce should be thrown away if it is moldy?

Throw away any soft fruits, like berries or peaches, as mold can spread invisibly through them. 

400

What are some foods/types of foods that should be thrown away if molded? 

• Porous foods: Mold can penetrate porous foods like bread, cakes, and pastries. The mold roots can spread deep inside, so it is safest to throw them out entirely.
• Jams and jellies: The mold in jams can produce toxins, so they should be discarded.
• Yogurt, sour cream, and cream cheese: These are high-moisture foods that can be contaminated with invisible mold threads. 

500

What are foods that can have mold but still be eaten?

• Hard cheeses: Cut off at least one inch around and below the moldy spot. The mold on hard cheeses like Parmesan and cheddar is typically just on the surface.
• Firm fruits and vegetables: Cut off the moldy spot and at least an inch around it. Examples include carrots, cabbage, and bell peppers.
• Dry-cured meats: These include hard salami and dry-cured country ham. The mold on the surface is often part of the curing process and can be scrubbed off. You can eat the rest of the meat.
• Certain hard or semi-hard cheeses: Some cheeses like those with an edible rind (e.g., Brie, Camembert) or a blue-veined cheese (e.g., Gorgonzola) already contain mold, so surface mold is often harmless. You can eat or remove the rind, but if the mold is a new development, you should throw it out.