Basic Food Safety Flashcards
Understand the factors that contribute to unsafe food and recognize personal responsibilities in preventing contamination and ensuring food safety. (49 cards)
Define:
foodborne illness
A disease that is transmitted to people through food.
What are the three types of hazards that make food unsafe?
- Biological
- Chemical
- Physical
What are examples of biological hazards?
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Parasites
- Fungi
What can cause chemical hazards in food?
- Cleaners
- Sanitizers
- Polishes
What are some examples of physical hazards?
- Bones in fillets
- Fruit pits
- Metal shavings
- Staples
- Dirt
- Glass
- Bandages
- Jewelry
What practice is the number one cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in foodservice operations?
Poor Personal Hygiene
Define:
cross-contamination
Transferring pathogens from one surface or food to another.
Define:
time-temperature abuse
Letting food stay too long at temperatures that are good for pathogen growth.
At what temperature does Listeria thrive in the refrigerator?
37°F
Listeria can grow at refrigeration temperatures, making it a serious threat.
What temperature should parasites be frozen at for safety?
-4°F for 7 days
Freezing kills many parasites, making food safer to consume.
What should you do to prevent cross-contamination?
- Don’t transfer pathogens from one surface to another.
- Don’t transfer pathogens from one food to another.
How does your personal hygiene relate to keeping food safe?
Good personal hygiene can limit pathogens that spread from your body to food.
What is the correct manner of cleaning and sanitizing surfaces?
- Keep everything clean.
- Sanitize anything that touches food.
True or False:
Food safety laws can be different from one city to the next.
True
What does TCS stand for?
Time & Temperature Control for Safety
TCS foods are those that require specific time and temperature controls to prevent foodborne illness.
What does the ‘F’ in FAT TOM represent?
Food
Food is one of the essential components for the growth of pathogens.
What is the range of acidity (pH) for the ‘A’ in FAT TOM?
4.6 - 7.0
This range indicates the ideal acidity for pathogen growth.
How often does the number of pathogens double in time?
Every 20 minutes.
This highlights the importance of controlling time in food safety.
What does the ‘O’ in FAT TOM refer to?
Oxygen
Oxygen is necessary for some pathogens to grow.
What is the moisture level (Aw) range in FAT TOM?
0.8 - 1.0
This moisture level supports the growth of microorganisms.
What is one of the five most common risk factors for foodborne illness?
Improper hot/cold holding temperatures of TCS food.
Maintaining proper temperatures is critical for food safety.
What is another common risk factor for foodborne illness?
Improper cooking temperatures of food.
Cooking food to the right temperature kills harmful pathogens.
What risk factor involves utensils and equipment?
Dirty and/or contaminated utensils and equipment.
Cleanliness of utensils is essential to prevent cross-contamination.
What employee-related risk factor can contribute to foodborne illness?
Poor employee health and hygiene.
Employee practices directly affect food safety.