Food Manager Practice Exam

What is the recommended order for storing foods in a refrigerator?

1. By expiration date

2. By size

3. By required cooking temperatures

4. By color

The correct answer is: By required cooking temperatures

The recommended order for storing foods in a refrigerator is based on required cooking temperatures, which is important for food safety. This method helps to prevent cross-contamination and ensures that foods are placed in a way that minimizes the risk of harmful bacteria spreading. When foods are stored according to their required cooking temperatures, raw meat and poultry are placed on the bottom shelves, where it is coldest, to prevent drips and contamination of other foods. Cooked foods, dairy products, and ready-to-eat items are stored above these raw items. This stratification not only maintains proper food safety but also helps to ensure that food is readily accessible and stored at the appropriate temperature, further reducing the risk of foodborne illness. Storing by expiration date might seem like a practical approach for managing freshness, but it does not address the critical issue of food safety and cross-contamination. Size and color are also not relevant considerations when it comes to food safety; they do not affect the risk of contamination or the necessary temperatures for safe storage. Therefore, organizing food by required cooking temperatures is the method that best protects public health and prevents foodborne illnesses.