Texas Food Safety Managers Practice Test

Frozen chicken breasts should be rejected during receiving when the chicken is?

1. Covered in ice crystals

2. Missing a FDA inspection sticker

3. Stored on top of raw fish

4. Discolored

The correct answer is: Covered in ice crystals

Frozen chicken breasts should be rejected during receiving when they are covered in ice crystals because this indicates that the product has experienced thawing and refreezing. Ice crystals form when moisture from the chicken evaporates during the thawing process, leading to quality degradation and potential safety issues. The presence of ice crystals suggests that the chicken may no longer be in optimal condition for consumption and could harbor bacteria due to unsafe temperature fluctuations. Making sure that frozen products are stored correctly and have not thawed is essential to maintaining food safety and quality standards. In contrast, while food missing a FDA inspection sticker is a concern and should be addressed, it does not necessarily indicate the quality of the chicken itself. Similarly, improper storage practices, such as placing chicken on top of raw fish, present cross-contamination risks, but the immediate indicator on the condition of frozen chicken is the presence of ice crystals. Discoloration might indicate spoilage or other issues, but it is more subjective and less definitive than the presence of ice crystals signaling a clear problem with the freeze-thaw cycle.