State Food Safety Practice Exam

Which task would allow for bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods, without regulatory authority approval?

1. Washing fruits and vegetables

2. Restocking a pastry display case

3. Cutting vegetables for a veggie tray

4. Serving highly susceptible populations

The correct answer is: Washing fruits and vegetables

Bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods is generally discouraged due to the risk of foodborne illness, as it can transfer pathogens from hands to food. However, there are certain tasks that may allow for such contact under specific conditions. Washing fruits and vegetables is a fundamental practice in food safety. This task is typically permitted because the washing process is intended to remove dirt, pesticides, and potential pathogens from the surface of the produce. When properly washed, the risk of contamination from fruits and vegetables is significantly reduced. Therefore, washing does not generally require regulatory authority approval for bare-hand contact, as long as the food is treated in a way that maintains safety after handling. Restocking a pastry display case, cutting vegetables for a veggie tray, or serving highly susceptible populations all involve handling ready-to-eat foods where bare-hand contact presents a higher risk of foodborne illness, and typically require regulatory approval or adherence to specific guidelines to minimize health risks.