Food Safety Quiz

T or F After buying poultry, you should remove the store wrapping, wash the meat thoroughly and rewrap it before refrigerating or freezing. Reason: FALSE. Handling raw poultry or meat increases the chance of bacterial infection. Leave the food in the store wrap to refrigerate. To freeze, add a layer of foil or freezer wrap.

2)T or F You store an already opened bottle of salad dressing in the refrigerator. You notice the dressing has become cloudy. You should discard the dressing because of possible contamination. Reason: FALSE. Oils will last longer (once opened) in the refrigerator. They tend to become cloudy, but quickly clear up at room temperature.

3)T or F Eating rare hamburger is riskier than eating rare steak. Reason: True. Hamburger is chopped meat, that means it has been handled more than the steak. The extra handling in grinding and cooking makes it more likely to harbor bacteria. It is possible but unlikely for raw steak to be contaminated.

4)T or F You usually can tell if a food is contaminated by how it looks, smells, or tastes. Reason: FALSE. A food can be contaminated with dangerous bacteria yet look, taste, and smell perfectly normal.

5) _____ Which of these is still safe to eat after sitting at room temperature for more than two hours? baked potato b) meat loaf wrapped in foil c) meat loaf in a pan d) boiled rice e) none of the above Reason: E. None of the Above. These are cooked foods and should be kept hot or refrigerated immediately after mealtime. Bacteria thrives at room temperature. Although rare, cases of potentially fatal botulism have been reported from baked potatoes left at room temperature too long.

6)T or F Adding mayonnaise to food increases the risk of food poisoning. Reason: FALSE. Mayonnaise has an undeserved “bad reputation” as a food spoiler. Most mayonnaise contains acid (in the form of lemon juice or vinegar) and salt, which slows the growth of bacteria. But, like any perishable food, those containing mayonnaise should be refrigerated to be safe.

7) _____ Which of these CANNOT be safely stored at room temperature? an already opened jar of peanut butter b) an unopened canned ham c) an opened can of solid shortening Reason: B. THE UNOPENED CANNED HAM. Some canned hams are partially cooked in the processing. This means bacteria might survive until the ham is fully cooked. Fully cooked canned hams can be stored without refrigeration. How can you tell? Read the label for storage instructions.

8)T or F When packing foods for a picnic, it’s better to keep the cooler in the trunk while you travel than in the car. Reason: FALSE. Trunks are heat boxes. The car might be hot from standing in the sun, but while driving either air conditioning or open windows will cool it. If the car is left standing in the sun on a hot day, food should not be left in either the trunk or the passenger compartment.

9)T or F Eggs will stay fresh longer when stored in the refrigerator’s egg holder than when left in their original container. Reason: FALSE. Store eggs in the original container. Egg holders in refrigerators are usually built into the door and often do not stay cold enough. The container also helps prevent eggs from picking up the odors of other foods.

10)T or F You bring raw steaks to the barbeque on a plate and place them on the barbeque with tongs. When the steaks are finished grilling, it is NOT safe to remove them with the same tongs or put them back on the same plate. Reason: TRUE. Remember to assume raw meat and poultry might contain bacteria. This means the tongs and plate might be contaminated. The grilled steaks might be bacteria free, but reusing the plate or tongs could infect them. Use a clean plate and tongs.