ServSafe Manager Practice Exam

When is a consumer advisory required for menu items containing TCS food?

1. When it is cooked to order

2. When the item is raw or undercooked

3. When it is held for more than 4 hours

4. When it is prepared ahead of time

The correct answer is: When the item is raw or undercooked

A consumer advisory is required for menu items containing TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) food specifically when the item is served raw or undercooked. This is crucial because TCS foods are susceptible to harboring harmful pathogens, and serving them raw or undercooked increases the risk of foodborne illness. The advisory informs consumers about the potential risks associated with consuming these types of foods, allowing them to make informed decisions about what they choose to eat. When an item is cooked to order, a consumer advisory may not necessarily be required as long as it reaches the appropriate internal temperatures that ensure safety. Holding an item for more than 4 hours might indicate that it is not safe, but it does not directly necessitate a consumer advisory—rather, it is a matter of proper food handling and temperature control. Similarly, when food is prepared ahead of time, it is usually done under safe handling practices, and unless it is raw or undercooked, it wouldn’t require a consumer advisory. Thus, the need for a consumer advisory is specifically linked to the risks posed by serving TCS foods in raw or undercooked forms.