State Food Safety Practice Exam

What must be included on the label when packaging raw ground beef for sale?

1. The slaughtering date

2. Description of how the beef was raised

3. Instructions for handling the meat safely

4. The name of the food worker who packaged the meat

The correct answer is: Instructions for handling the meat safely

The requirement for including instructions for handling the meat safely on the label of packaged raw ground beef is crucial for ensuring consumer safety. Ground beef can pose significant health risks if not handled properly, as it can harbor harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. Clear handling instructions help consumers understand how to store, cook, and manage the meat to prevent foodborne illnesses. Including these guidelines is an essential aspect of food labeling regulations, aimed at promoting safe food practices at the consumer level. While details like the slaughtering date, meat production methods, or the name of the food worker who packaged the meat might have their importance, they are not specifically mandated as critical labeling components for raw ground beef. Thus, providing safe handling instructions directly addresses public health concerns and ensures that consumers are better informed about how to safely interact with the product.