ServSafe Exam Flashcards
(189 cards)
What is a Food borne Illness?
A disease transmitted to people by food
An illness is considered an outbreak when…
2 or more people have the same symptoms from eating the same food;
An investigation is conducted by state/local authorities;
Confirmed by lab analysis
What are the “Challenges to Food Safety”?
Time (limited time can cause safety to suffer);
Language and culture (varied communication and views);
Literacy and education (can make teaching difficult);
Pathogens (ill-causing microorganisms);
Unapproved suppliers (they may not practice adequate food safety themselves);
High-risk customers (numbers are increasing);
Staff turnover (retraining takes time)
What are the “Costs of Foodborne Illness” for the operation?
Loss of customer sales; Loss of reputation; Negative media; Lowered staff morale; Lawsuits and legal fees; Staff missing work; Increased insurance premiums; Staff retraining required
What is can be experienced by the victims of food borne illness?
Lost work;
Medical costs and long-term disability;
Death
What is Contamination?
The presence of harmful substances in food
What the types of contaminants that can make food unsafe?
Biological (pathogens);
Chemical (cleaners, sanitizers, polishes);
Physical (foreign objects, can be random or naturally occurring)
What are Pathogens?
Greatest threat to food safety;
Viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria;
And some plants, mushrooms, and seafood carry harmful toxins (poisons)
What are the 5 most common food-handling mistakes that make food unsafe?
Purchasing from unsafe sources; Failing to cook correctly; Holding at wrong temps; Using contaminated equipment; Practicing poor personal hygiene
Most food handling mistakes can be related to what 4 factors?
Time-temp abuse;
Cross-contamination;
Poor personal hygiene;
Poor cleaning/sanitizing
What is Time-Temp Abuse?
Food has stayed too long at temps that promote pathogen growth =
Not held/stored at correct temps;
Not cooked/reheated enough to kill pathogens;
Not cooled correctly
What is Cross-Contamination?
Pathogens transferred from one surface or food to another =
Contaminated ingredients added to food that will not be cooked;
RTE foods touch contaminated surfaces;
Contaminated food touches RTE foods;
Food handler touches contaminated then RTE foods;
Contaminated cloths touch food-contact surfaces
What is Poor Personal Hygiene?
Failing to wash hands after using the restroom;
Coughing or sneezing on food;
Touch/scratch wounds and then touch food;
Working while sick
What is included in Poor Cleaning/Sanitizing?
Equipment/utensils are not cleaned between uses;
Food-contact surfaces are just wipe rather than washed, rinsed and sanitized;
Wiping cloths are not stored in a sanitizer solution;
Sanitizing solutions are not prepared correctly
What are TCS foods?
Pathogens grow well on them so they require very specific time and temperature control to limit the growth
What are the major TCS foods?
Milk/dairy;
Meat/Poultry;
Fish/Shellfish;
Baked potatoes;
Tofu, soy proteins, or synthetic ingredients;
Sliced melons, cut tomatoes, cut leafy greens,
Shell eggs;
Heat-treated plant foods (cooked rice, beans and veggies);
Sprouts/spout seeds;
Untreated garlic-and-oil mixtures
What are RTE foods (ready to eat)?
Food that can be eaten without further prep, washing or cooking;
Cooked foods, washed fruit/veggies, deli meat, bakery items, sugar, spices and seasonings
Who are the major “High Risk Populations” for food borne illness?
Elderly (weakened with age);
Preschool-age (not built strong immune system);
Compromised immune system (chemo/cancer, HIV/AIDS, transplants, certain meds)
What are the key measures to keep food safe?
Control time/temp; Prevent cross-contamination; Practice personal hygiene; Purchase from approved suppliers; Clean/sanitize
What is the role of the FDA?
Inspects all foods but meat, poultry, and eggs;
Regulate transport across state lines;
Issues the Food Code (food safety recommendations for city, county, state and tribal agencies)
What is the role of the USDA?
Regulates and inspects meat, poultry, and eggs;
Regulates food across state boundaries or involves more than one state
What is the role of the CDC and PHS?
Conduct research into the causes of foodborne illness and outbreaks;
Assist in investigations
What is the role of State and Local Regulatory Authorities?
Write/adopt code that regulates retail and foodservice operations; Inspect operations; Enforce regulations; Investigate complaints/illness; Issue licenses and permits; Approve construction; Review/approve HACCP plans
How can contamination occur when someone is ill?
From person to person;
Sneezing/vomiting onto food or food-contact surfaces;
Touching dirty food-contact surfaces and equipment and then touching food