ServSafe Manager Practice Exam

Which of the following items is stored correctly in a cooler?

1. Macaroni salad stored above raw salmon

2. Cooked chicken on top of raw vegetables

3. Ground beef above unpeeled potatoes

4. Raw fish above ready-to-eat foods

The correct answer is: Macaroni salad stored above raw salmon

The correct choice is macaron salad stored above raw salmon. In food safety, maintaining proper food storage hierarchy is essential to prevent cross-contamination, which can lead to foodborne illnesses. Ready-to-eat foods, like macaroni salad, should always be stored above raw foods to ensure that any potential drippings or contamination from the raw products do not affect the ready-to-eat items. When considering the context of the other options, storing cooked chicken on top of raw vegetables can result in juices from the raw products contaminating the cooked ones. Ground beef stored above unpeeled potatoes presents a concern as well, since the raw beef could drip onto the vegetables, risking contamination. Lastly, raw fish needs to be stored below ready-to-eat foods, as any contamination could directly affect those items that are safe to eat without further cooking. Thus, the practice of placing the macaroni salad, which is ready for consumption, above the raw salmon effectively upholds food safety standards by preventing cross-contamination.