SERVSAFE MANAGER 7TH EDITION EXAM QESTIONS
& ANSWERS
Define foodborne illness. - Answer -a disease transmitted to people by food
When is a foodborne illness considered an outbreak? - Answer -when 2 or more people
have the same symptoms after eating the same food
What food saftey challenges do operations face? - Answer -time pressure, potentially
unsafe supplies, high risk populations, and staff related challenges
What does a foodborne illness cost? - Answer -guests and operations
After a foodborne illness, what may an operation experience? - Answer -negative
publicity, decreased business, lawsuits, legal fees, increased insurance premiums, and
personnel issues
What are the types of contaminants that threaten food safety? - Answer -biological,
chemical, and physical
Which type of contaminant poses the greatest danger? - Answer -biological
contaminants
What can happen if a food handler does not follow the correct procedures? - Answer -
they can threaten the safety of food
How can a food handler threaten the safety of food? - Answer -by failing to cook the
food enough, holding food at incorrect temperatures, contaminating equipment, and
practicing poor personal hygiene
When has food been time temperature abused? - Answer -when it has stayed too long
at temperatures that are good for the growth of pathogens
How can pathogens be spread to food? - Answer -if equipment has not been cleaned
and sanitized correctly between uses
Define cross contamination. - Answer -when pathogens are transferred from one
surface or food to another
What find of food do pathogens grow well in? - Answer -TCS food
How can the growth of pathogens be prevented in food? - Answer -by giving the food
time and temperature control
, Why do some bacteria change into spores? - Answer -to preserve themselves when
lacking nutrients
What can bacteria produce in food? - Answer -toxins that can make people sick
What is the leading cause of foodborne illnesses? - Answer -viruses
What cannot grow in food? - Answer -viruses
What can viruses survive? - Answer -refrigeration and freezing temperatures
What can help prevent the spread of viruses? - Answer -good personal hygiene
What do parasites need to survive? - Answer -to be in another animal
What can parasites contaminate? - Answer -food and water
What kind of water is often contaminated by parasites? - Answer -water used to irrigate
produce
How can foodborne illnesses caused by parasites be prevented? - Answer -by
purchasing products from approved, reputable suppliers
What are example of fungi? - Answer -mold and yeast
What does fungi do? - Answer -spoil food
What can some molds produce? - Answer -harmful toxins
What should be done with food that has mold? - Answer -it should be discarded unless
the mold is a natural part of the product
What can spoil food quickly? - Answer -yeast
What should be done with food spoiled by yeast? - Answer -it should be thrown out
What can be a natural part of a fish? - Answer -fish toxins
How can fish become toxic? - Answer -when fish eat smaller fish containing the toxin
How can shellfish, such as oysters, become contaminated? - Answer -when they eat
marine algae that have a toxin
& ANSWERS
Define foodborne illness. - Answer -a disease transmitted to people by food
When is a foodborne illness considered an outbreak? - Answer -when 2 or more people
have the same symptoms after eating the same food
What food saftey challenges do operations face? - Answer -time pressure, potentially
unsafe supplies, high risk populations, and staff related challenges
What does a foodborne illness cost? - Answer -guests and operations
After a foodborne illness, what may an operation experience? - Answer -negative
publicity, decreased business, lawsuits, legal fees, increased insurance premiums, and
personnel issues
What are the types of contaminants that threaten food safety? - Answer -biological,
chemical, and physical
Which type of contaminant poses the greatest danger? - Answer -biological
contaminants
What can happen if a food handler does not follow the correct procedures? - Answer -
they can threaten the safety of food
How can a food handler threaten the safety of food? - Answer -by failing to cook the
food enough, holding food at incorrect temperatures, contaminating equipment, and
practicing poor personal hygiene
When has food been time temperature abused? - Answer -when it has stayed too long
at temperatures that are good for the growth of pathogens
How can pathogens be spread to food? - Answer -if equipment has not been cleaned
and sanitized correctly between uses
Define cross contamination. - Answer -when pathogens are transferred from one
surface or food to another
What find of food do pathogens grow well in? - Answer -TCS food
How can the growth of pathogens be prevented in food? - Answer -by giving the food
time and temperature control
, Why do some bacteria change into spores? - Answer -to preserve themselves when
lacking nutrients
What can bacteria produce in food? - Answer -toxins that can make people sick
What is the leading cause of foodborne illnesses? - Answer -viruses
What cannot grow in food? - Answer -viruses
What can viruses survive? - Answer -refrigeration and freezing temperatures
What can help prevent the spread of viruses? - Answer -good personal hygiene
What do parasites need to survive? - Answer -to be in another animal
What can parasites contaminate? - Answer -food and water
What kind of water is often contaminated by parasites? - Answer -water used to irrigate
produce
How can foodborne illnesses caused by parasites be prevented? - Answer -by
purchasing products from approved, reputable suppliers
What are example of fungi? - Answer -mold and yeast
What does fungi do? - Answer -spoil food
What can some molds produce? - Answer -harmful toxins
What should be done with food that has mold? - Answer -it should be discarded unless
the mold is a natural part of the product
What can spoil food quickly? - Answer -yeast
What should be done with food spoiled by yeast? - Answer -it should be thrown out
What can be a natural part of a fish? - Answer -fish toxins
How can fish become toxic? - Answer -when fish eat smaller fish containing the toxin
How can shellfish, such as oysters, become contaminated? - Answer -when they eat
marine algae that have a toxin
