20 questions from the FDA Food Code 2022. Pick an answer to see the rule and the section it comes from.
1. When preparing the wash compartment of a sink for warewashing, which factor primarily determines the specific cleaning agent to use?
Answer: The manufacturer's label instructions for the cleaning agent. The code specifies that the choice of cleaning agent must follow the instructions provided on the manufacturer's label.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 4-501.17: “shall contain a wash solution of soap, detergent, acid cleaner, alkaline cleaner, degreaser, abrasive cleaner, or other cleaning agent according to the cleaning agent manufacturer's label instructions.”
2. What is the maximum water temperature allowed when thawing food by completely submerging it under running water?
Answer: 21°C (70°F) or below. The code specifies that running water used for thawing must be at 21°C (70°F) or lower.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-501.13: “At a water temperature of 21oC (70oF) or below Pf,”
3. When is a food employee permitted to contact exposed, ready-to-eat food with bare hands?
Answer: When washing fruits and vegetables. The code allows bare hand contact when washing fruits and vegetables, whereas other scenarios require utensils or specific approvals.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-301.11: “Except when washing fruits and vegetables as specified under §3-302.15 or as specified in ¶¶ (D) and (E) of this section, FOOD EMPLOYEES may not contact exposed, READY-TO-EAT FOOD with their bare hands”
4. If a food handler uses hot water immersion to sanitize items manually, what minimum temperature must the water be maintained at?
Answer: 77°C (171°F). Hot water sanitizing requires a higher temperature of at least 77°C (171°F) to be effective.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 4-501.19: “If immersion in hot water is used for SANITIZING in a manual operation, the temperature of the water shall be maintained at 77oC (171oF) or above.”
5. If a food employee had Typhoid fever diagnosed within the past three months, what condition allows them to remain working?
Answer: They must have received antibiotic therapy. The rule specifies that the employee is restricted if they had Typhoid fever recently without having received antibiotic therapy; receiving therapy is the condition that resolves the restriction.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 2-201.11: “Had Typhoid fever, diagnosed by a health practitioner, within the past three (3) months, without having received antibiotic therapy, as determined by a health practitioner”
6. When piping or a rotary shaft extends into equipment without a watertight joint, what component is required to protect the food?
Answer: An apron designed to deflect condensation, drips, and dust. Without a watertight joint, an apron is required to deflect contaminants like dust and drips away from the food.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 4-204.12: “The piping, TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICES, rotary shafts, and other parts extending through the openings shall be equipped with an apron designed to deflect condensation, drips, and dust from openings into the FOOD;”
7. Who is responsible for ensuring a Person in Charge is present at the food establishment during all hours of operation?
Answer: The Permit Holder. The regulation assigns the duty of ensuring presence or designation to the Permit Holder.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 2-101.11: “Except as specified in ¶¶ (B) and (C) of this section, the PERMIT HOLDER shall be the PERSON IN CHARGE or shall designate a PERSON IN CHARGE and shall ensure that a PERSON IN CHARGE is present at the FOOD ESTABLISHMENT during all hours of operation.”
8. When a commercially packaged food is opened in a food establishment and held for more than 24 hours, what date serves as Day 1?
Answer: The date the original container is opened in the food establishment. For opened commercial packages, the clock starts ticking on the day the seal is broken at the establishment.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-501.17: “The day the original container is opened in the FOOD ESTABLISHMENT shall be counted as Day 1;”
9. Which type of food establishment might be exempt from the requirement to have a designated Person in Charge present during all hours?
Answer: Establishments deemed by the Regulatory Authority to pose minimal risk of causing foodborne illness. Exemptions are based on the Regulatory Authority's assessment of minimal risk due to the nature of operations and food preparation extent.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 2-101.11: “This section does not apply to certain types of FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS deemed by the REGULATORY AUTHORITY to pose minimal risk of causing, or contributing to, foodborne illness based on the nature of the operation and extent of the FOOD preparation.”
10. Which location is prohibited for storing cleaned equipment and utensils due to potential drips?
Answer: Under leaking water lines. Storage is prohibited under leaking water lines because they pose a risk of contamination from drips or condensation.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 4-903.12: “Under leaking water lines including leaking automatic fire sprinkler heads or under lines on which water has condensed;”
11. How frequently must a warewashing machine be cleaned if it is in continuous use throughout the day?
Answer: At a frequency necessary to prevent recontamination and ensure proper function. Cleaning frequency depends on usage needs to prevent contamination and maintain functionality, rather than a fixed hourly schedule.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 4-501.14: “(B) Throughout the day at a frequency necessary to prevent recontamination of EQUIPMENT and UTENSILS and to ensure that the EQUIPMENT performs its intended function;”
12. Under what specific condition may a food establishment serve wild mushrooms without needing a specific approval for the establishment itself?
Answer: When the mushrooms are cultivated wild species grown, harvested, and processed in a regulated operation. The rule exempts cultivated wild mushrooms from the approval requirement if the growing and processing operation is regulated by the relevant food agency.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-201.16: “This section does not apply to: (1) Cultivated wild mushroom species that are grown, harvested, and processed in an operation that is regulated by the FOOD regulatory agency that has jurisdiction over the operation;”
13. How should food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment and pans be maintained?
Answer: They should be kept free of encrusted grease deposits and other soil accumulations. The code requires cooking equipment surfaces to be free of grease and soil buildup to ensure cleanliness.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 4-601.11: “The FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of cooking EQUIPMENT and pans shall be kept free of encrusted grease deposits and other soil accumulations.”
14. Where should an in-use utensil be stored during a pause in food preparation if it is being used with moist foods like ice cream or mashed potatoes?
Answer: In running water of sufficient velocity to flush particulates to the drain. For moist foods, the utensil must be kept in running water to ensure particulates are flushed away.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-304.12: “In running water of sufficient velocity to flush particulates to the drain, if used with moist food such as ice cream or mashed potatoes;”
15. What is the minimum cooking temperature for comminuted meats, such as ground beef?
Answer: 68°C (155°F) for 17 seconds. Non-intact or comminuted meats require cooking to 155°F for 17 seconds.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-401.11: “68oC (155oF) for 17 seconds or the temperature specified in the following chart that corresponds to the holding time for RATITES, and nonINTACT MEATS; the following if they are COMMINUTED: FISH and GAME ANIMALS commercially raised for FOOD”
16. Which type of sanitizing solution is permitted for use in a two-compartment sink during batch operations?
Answer: A detergent-sanitizer applied according to manufacturer instructions. When using a two-compartment sink, workers must use a detergent-sanitizer following the manufacturer's specific label instructions.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 4-301.12: “Use a detergent-SANITIZER to SANITIZE and apply the detergentSANITIZER in accordance with the manufacturer’s label instructions and as specified under § 4-501.115”
17. Which regulatory standard must chemical sanitizers applied to food-contact surfaces meet?
Answer: Requirements specified in 40 CFR 180.940 for antimicrobial formulations. The code mandates that sanitizers meet the tolerance exemption requirements found in this specific federal regulation.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 7-204.11: “Meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 180.940 Tolerance exemptions for active and inert ingredients for use in antimicrobial formulations (Food-contact surface sanitizing solutions)”
18. A food handler is checking a container of ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food in a refrigerator. The food is within its safe temperature range, but the container has no date or day marked on it. What must the handler do?
Answer: Discard the food because the container does not bear a date or day. The code requires discarding ready-to-eat TCS food if the container lacks a required date or day label, regardless of the food's appearance or smell.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-501.18: “Is in a container or PACKAGE that does not bear a date or day;”
19. How should food containers be arranged inside cooling equipment to maximize efficiency?
Answer: Arranged to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls. Proper arrangement ensures air can circulate around the containers, allowing heat to escape quickly through the walls.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-501.15: “Arranged in the EQUIPMENT to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls;”
20. What is the maximum ambient air temperature for storing eggs that have not been treated to destroy all viable Salmonellae?
Answer: 7°C (45°F). Untreated eggs require storage at 7°C (45°F) or below.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-501.16: “EGGS that have not been treated to destroy all viable Salmonellae shall be stored in refrigerated EQUIPMENT that maintains an ambient air temperature of 7°C (45°F) or less.”