How do you score? Food safety is important for everyone. Take the food safety quiz to see how safely you are handling food in your kitchen.

1. Which of the following is a safe way to thaw frozen meat?
   a. on the counter top
   b. in the refrigerator
   c. in a warm oven

   Correct answer: B. There are 3 acceptable ways to thaw meat: in the refrigerator, in the microwave, or in the sink in cool water (with the water changed every 30 minutes). Meat that is thawed in the microwave must be cooked immediately, it should not be returned to the refrigerated. Avoid storing meat at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Remember, keep cold foods cold!

2. What is the recommended minimum oven temperature for cooking meats?
   a. 200°F
   b. 275°F
   c. 325°F

   Correct answer: C. Don’t put your family at risk! Cook meat in an oven with a minimum temperature of 325°F.

3. What is the internal temperature that hamburgers should reach to ensure safety?
   a. 145°F
   b. 160°F
   c. 185°F

   Correct answer: B. Ground beef, lamb, pork and veal must reach an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure safety. Whole roasts, chops and steaks need only reach 145°F (medium rare) to ensure safety.

4. If you touch raw meat, chicken or fish, before you do anything else what should you do?
   a. wipe your hands on a paper towel
   b. wash your hands with soap and warm water
   c. rinse your hands with water

   Correct answer: B. After washing raw meat, chicken or fish, be sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. Scrub between fingers, on the top of your hands, and your wrists. Rinse with warm water and dry using a paper towel.

5. When you wash your hands, how long should you scrub with soap?
   a. 10 seconds
   b. 20 seconds
   c. 1 minute

   Correct answer: B. Wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds, about the length of time that it takes to sing the ‘ABC’ song, or to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ through twice.

6. Which of the following foods is safe to eat without cooking?
   a. eggs
   b. cookie dough
   c. cake frosting

   Correct answer: C.: Never eat foods that contain raw meat or uncooked eggs. Homemade cookie dough is often unsafe because of the raw eggs that it contains. Feel free to lick the bowl when you make cake frosting if it’s made in the traditional way using a mixture of butter or shortening, sugar and flavoring, this type of frosting may not be super healthy, but it’s safe!

7. At a party, picnic, or family meal, how long can you leave food out?
   a. 2 hours
   b. 4 hours
   c. 6 hours

   Correct answer: A. Food can be left out for no more than 2 hours. When the temperature is warm outside (about 80°F) limit the time to one hour.

8. How long can meats from the deli counter, like roast beef or turkey, be safely stored in the refrigerator?
   a. 1 to 2 days
   c. 1 week
   d. 2 weeks
   
   Correct answer: A. Meats from the deli counter at a grocery store are very perishable and should be handled safely to avoid foodborne illness. Use deli meats up within 1 to 2 days to ensure safety. Pre-packaged hotdogs and other meats should also be stored in the refrigerator. Use no later than 1 week after the ‘sell by’ date marked on the package.

9. How would you prepare a bleach solution to sanitize cutting boards and counter tops?
   a. Use 1 teaspoon bleach per cup of water
   b. Use 1 teaspoon bleach per 4 cups of water
   c. Use ¼ cup bleach per cup of water

   Correct answer: B. A good all-purpose sanitizer for kitchen use is to mix 1 teaspoon bleach to 4 cups of water, or 1 Tablespoon bleach per gallon of water. To prepare a surface for sanitizing, wash with soap and warm water, and rinse with clear water. Then spray or dip in the sanitizing solution. Let stand for 30 seconds, and allow to air dry, or dry with a paper towel.

10. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, how can you tell that a baked chicken is safe to eat?
    a. the skin is crisp and golden brown
    b. the meat is fork tender
    c. the juices run clear, not pink

    Correct answer: C. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure that meat, chicken or fish is safely cooked. However, if you don’t have a meat thermometer, check to make sure that the meat juices run clear, not pink.

11. After marinating chicken, meat or fish, the marinade can be used for basting if it is first….
    a. refrigerated
    b. boiled for 1 minute
    c. warmed in the microwave

    Correct answer: B.: To ensure that marinade doesn’t transfer bacteria from raw meat to cooked meat, boil the marinade for 1 minute before using it as a basting sauce. Or, better yet, prepare a new sauce just for basting!

12. What is an acceptable temperature for your home refrigerator?
    a. 30 degrees
    b. 40 degrees
    c. 50 degrees

    Correct answer B.: Your home refrigerator should be set to between 32° and 40°F. Use a thermometer to check the temperature of your refrigerator to make sure it is working properly.
    

    Suggested link: Try the Food Safety Quiz for Kids http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/html/wash__hands.htm
    

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