ServSafe Manager Practice Exam

Ready-to-eat TCS food must be date marked if stored for longer than how many hours?

1. 12 hours

2. 24 hours

3. 36 hours

4. 48 hours

The correct answer is: 24 hours

Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be date marked if it is stored for longer than 24 hours to ensure proper inventory management and food safety. This date marking helps to track how long the food has been in storage, allowing foodservice personnel to properly rotate and use food in a timely manner to prevent spoilage and reduce the risk of foodborne illness. When TCS foods are prepared and not used immediately, they can become potential breeding grounds for harmful bacteria if left unchecked. The 24-hour timeframe is established as a guideline to promote safe practices because any TCS food kept beyond this period should be discarded or labeled for further use after careful consideration of safety practices, thus protecting consumers' health. A shorter period such as 12 hours does not necessitate date marking, as it is typically assumed the food will be used within this timeframe. Meanwhile, periods longer than 24 hours require the safeguards provided by date marking to ensure food safety.