20 questions from the FDA Food Code 2022. Pick an answer to see the rule and the section it comes from.
1. After thawing vegetables in the warewashing sink, what additional step is required before the sink can be used again for washing dishes?
Answer: The sink must be sanitized. The regulation specifies that sinks used for thawing food must be sanitized after use.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 4-501.16: “Sinks used to wash or thaw FOOD shall be SANITIZED as specified under Part 4-7 before and after using the sink to wash produce or thaw FOOD.”
2. A employee wants to wash their hands in the warewashing sink because the handwashing station is occupied. Is this permitted?
Answer: No, the sink may not be used for handwashing. Warewashing sinks are restricted from being used for handwashing.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 4-501.16: “A WAREWASHING sink may not be used for handwashing as specified under § 2-301.15.”
3. Which of the following criteria allows a reduced oxygen packaged food to be exempt from the requirement of being maintained at 5°C (41°F) or less?
Answer: Has an AW of 0.91 or less. Foods with low water activity (0.91 or less) are stable enough to not require strict cold holding temperatures under this specific packaging method.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-502.12: “Has an AW of 0.91 or less”
4. What additional requirement applies to chemicals used for washing fruits and vegetables regarding their labeling?
Answer: They must meet the requirements in 40 CFR 156 Labeling Requirements for Pesticide and Devices. The regulation mandates that these chemicals must comply with specific federal labeling requirements for pesticides and devices.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 7-204.12: “Meet the requirements in 40 CFR 156 Labeling Requirements for Pesticide and Devices.”
5. Which cleaning method is specified for microwave oven cavities and door seals?
Answer: Using the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedure. The code specifies following the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning these specific parts.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 4-602.12: “The cavities and door seals of microwave ovens shall be cleaned at least every 24 hours by using the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedure.”
6. What is the required covering status for food during microwave cooking?
Answer: Covered to retain surface moisture. The food must be covered during cooking to keep moisture in, preventing the surface from drying out.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-401.12: “Covered to retain surface moisture;”
7. What is the correct storage procedure for raw poultry received immersed in ice in its shipping container?
Answer: Keep the poultry immersed in the ice within the shipping container. The regulation allows raw poultry to remain immersed in ice within its original shipping container while awaiting further handling.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-303.12: “Raw poultry and raw FISH that are received immersed in ice in shipping containers may remain in that condition while in storage awaiting preparation, display, service, or sale.”
8. If a food requires peeling before consumption, what type of untreated container is allowed for holding the whole, uncut raw food?
Answer: Untreated wood containers. For foods that are peeled before eating, untreated wood containers are permitted for holding the whole, uncut item.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 4-101.17: “If the nature of the FOOD requires removal of rinds, peels, husks, or shells before consumption, the whole, uncut, raw FOOD may be kept in: (1) Untreated wood containers;”
9. What is the purpose of barriers, baffles, or drip aprons on dispensing equipment?
Answer: To divert drips from condensation and splash from the opening of the container receiving the FOOD. These features ensure that water dripping from the machine does not fall into the customer's cup.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 4-204.13: “The delivery tube, chute, orifice, and splash surfaces directly above the container receiving the FOOD shall be designed in a manner, such as with barriers, baffles, or drip aprons, so that drips from condensation and splash are diverted from the opening of the container receiving the FOOD;”
10. What is the minimum clearance required between the table surface and fixed counter-mounted equipment?
Answer: 10 centimeters (4 inches). Fixed counter-mounted equipment must be elevated to provide at least 10 centimeters of clearance from the table surface.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 4-402.12: “COUNTER-MOUNTED EQUIPMENT that is not EASILY MOVABLE shall be elevated on legs that provide at least a 10 centimeter (4 inch) clearance between the table and the EQUIPMENT.”
11. What is the required freezing protocol for raw fish intended to be served in ready-to-eat form, if the fish is frozen at -35°C (-31°F) or below until solid?
Answer: Store at -35°C (-31°F) or below for a minimum of 15 hours. The code specifies that if fish is frozen solid at -35°C, it must be held at that same temperature for at least 15 hours.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-402.11: “Frozen at -35°C (-31°F) or below until solid and stored at -35°C (-31°F) or below for a minimum of 15 hours”
12. What action must be taken with ready-to-eat food if an employee who handles it has been restricted or excluded due to illness?
Answer: Discard the food. The code requires that ready-to-eat food potentially contaminated by a restricted or excluded employee must be thrown away rather than reheated or saved.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-701.11: “READY-TO-EAT FOOD that may have been contaminated by an EMPLOYEE who has been RESTRICTED or EXCLUDED as specified under § 2-201.12 shall be discarded.”
13. How must foods be held after cooling but before the final cooking step in a non-continuous cooking process?
Answer: Frozen or cold. The code requires the food to be held frozen or cold after the initial cooling phase.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-401.14: “After cooling, held frozen or cold, as specified for TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD under ¶ 3-501.16(A)(2);”
14. Which item is required in the ingredient list if present in the food?
Answer: Artificial colors, artificial flavors, and chemical preservatives. The label must declare the presence of artificial colors, flavors, and chemical preservatives within the ingredient list.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-602.11: “including a declaration of artificial colors, artificial flavors and chemical preservatives, if contained in the FOOD”
15. Who is authorized to apply a restricted use pesticide according to the conditions of use?
Answer: An applicator certified as defined in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Restricted use pesticides must be applied by a certified applicator or someone under their direct supervision.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 7-202.12: “A restricted USE PESTICIDE shall be applied only by an applicator certified as defined in 7 USC 136 Definitions, (e) Certified Applicator, of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, or a PERSON under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.”
16. When serving oysters on the half shell, what specific information must be provided to the consumer regarding the preparation of the item?
Answer: A description stating the item is served raw or undercooked. The code requires a specific disclosure describing the item as raw or undercooked to inform consumers of the risk.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-603.11: “DISCLOSURE shall include: (1) A description of the animal-derived FOODS, such as “oysters on the half shell (raw oysters),” “raw-EGG Caesar salad,” and “hamburgers (can be cooked to order)”;”
17. Under what specific condition is it permissible to rinse equipment and utensils after they have been cleaned and sanitized?
Answer: When the rinse is applied directly from a potable water supply by a properly maintained warewashing machine. Rinsing is generally prohibited after sanitizing unless it occurs within a compliant warewashing machine using potable water.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 4-904.14: “The rinse is applied directly from a potable water supply by a warewashing machine that is maintained and operated as specified under Subparts 4-204 and 4-501”
18. When should a food handler discard single-use gloves during an operation?
Answer: When they become damaged or soiled, or when interruptions occur in the operation. Gloves must be changed if they get dirty, damaged, or if the worker stops working for any reason, not just when they are torn.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-304.15: “discarded when damaged or soiled, or when interruptions occur in the operation”
19. How must counter-mounted equipment that is not easily movable be installed to allow cleaning underneath?
Answer: It must be sealed or elevated on legs. Counter-mounted units must either be sealed to prevent debris buildup or raised on legs to allow cleaning underneath.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 4-402.11: “SEALED; or (2) Elevated on legs as specified under ¶ 4-402.12(D).”
20. Which of the following items may be stored directly on a clean floor without meeting the standard height requirement?
Answer: Pressurized beverage containers. Pressurized beverage containers are listed as items allowed to sit directly on a clean floor.
FDA Food Code 2022, § 3-305.11: “Pressurized BEVERAGE containers, cased FOOD in waterproof containers such as bottles or cans, and milk containers in plastic crates may be stored on a floor that is clean and not exposed to floor moisture.”