ServSafe Manager Practice Exam

If a dish includes beef with a use-by date of September 4 and pork with a use-by date of September 6, what is the discard date of the dish?

1. September 3

2. September 4

3. September 5

4. September 6

The correct answer is: September 4

The correct answer is based on understanding the principle of using the earliest use-by date to determine when a mixed dish should be discarded. In this scenario, the dish combines both beef and pork, which have different use-by dates. The beef has a use-by date of September 4, while the pork is valid until September 6. When preparing a dish that contains ingredients with varying use-by dates, the safety of the product is determined by the ingredient that has the earliest date. This means that the dish should be discarded by that date to ensure food safety. Since the beef, which expires on September 4, is the earliest date, the entire dish must be discarded on or before that date. Using September 4 as the discard date ensures that the dish is consumed or disposed of before it potentially becomes unsafe due to the use of expired beef. This practice is crucial in maintaining food safety standards and preventing foodborne illness.