Illinois Food Service License Practice Test

In the top to bottom order, how should a fresh pork roast, fresh salmon, a container of lettuce, and a pan of fresh chicken breast be stored in a cooler?

1. Fresh salmon, fresh pork roast, container of lettuce, pan of fresh chicken breast

2. Pan of fresh chicken breast, container of lettuce, fresh salmon, fresh pork roast

3. Lettuce, fresh salmon, fresh pork roast, fresh chicken breast

4. Fresh pork roast, fresh salmon, pan of fresh chicken breast, container of lettuce

The correct answer is: Lettuce, fresh salmon, fresh pork roast, fresh chicken breast

The correct storage order in a cooler is essential for ensuring food safety and preventing cross-contamination. The guideline for this order is based on the proper placement of different food items according to their potential to harbor pathogens and the cooking temperatures required to make them safe for consumption. In this case, fresh chicken breast is considered the most hazardous food due to the potential for higher levels of pathogens like Salmonella and Campylobacter. Therefore, it should be stored at the bottom of the cooler to prevent any possible drips or leaks from contaminating other food items. Next, fresh pork roast, which also requires cooking but has a lower risk than raw chicken, should be placed above the chicken. It still should be lower than the seafood and ready-to-eat items. Fresh salmon falls next in line as it’s typically cooked to a safe temperature but is generally more safe than poultry, particularly if adequately handled and stored. Lastly, ready-to-eat items, like the container of lettuce, should be at the top. This placement minimizes the risk of contamination from raw foods to ready-to-eat foods. Thus, the recommended storage order reflecting these safety guidelines would be the container of lettuce, fresh salmon, fresh pork roast, and lastly, the pan of fresh chicken