Texas Food Safety Managers Practice Test

Which practice is essential for preventing cross-contamination?

1. Using the same cutting board for vegetables and raw meat.

2. Cleaning surfaces with bleach solution weekly.

3. Keeping raw and cooked foods separate.

4. Rinsing hands under hot water only.

The correct answer is: Keeping raw and cooked foods separate.

Keeping raw and cooked foods separate is essential for preventing cross-contamination because it helps to eliminate the risk of harmful pathogens that may be present in raw foods from transferring to foods that are ready to eat. Raw meats, poultry, and seafood can harbor bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which can cause foodborne illness. By ensuring that these raw ingredients do not come into contact with cooked foods or ready-to-eat items, the risk of contamination is significantly reduced. This practice is key in food safety protocols and is reinforced by guidelines from health authorities, as it creates a physical barrier that prevents the transfer of pathogens during preparation, storage, and serving. Proper separation can be achieved by using different utensils, plates, and cutting boards for raw and cooked foods, as well as storing them on different shelves in a refrigerator. The other practices mentioned may contribute to food safety in different contexts, but they do not directly address the critical issue of preventing cross-contamination as effectively as maintaining separation between raw and cooked foods.