,Chapter 1 – Inspection as the Primary Basis for Food Quality and
Safety
Key Concept: Role of inspection vs. preventive controls
Stem: A transportation QA manager inspects arriving
refrigerated containers and finds temperatures recorded within
range but notices condensation and residual debris on the floor.
Which action best aligns with a prevention-focused food-safety
strategy?
A. Release the goods because recorded temperatures meet the
specification.
B. Reject or hold the load for cleaning and investigation before
release.
C. Record the observation but release after notifying the
consignee.
D. Adjust the records to reflect acceptable microbial risk and
release.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (correct): Inspection should trigger preventive action
when environmental signs imply possible contamination despite
acceptable temperature logs; holding and cleaning prevents
distribution of adulterated products. Chapter 1, Inspection as
Primary Basis. (FAOHome, U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Distractors:
A — Temperature alone doesn’t rule out contamination risk
from unsanitary surfaces.
,C — Merely notifying without holding or cleaning risks
consumer exposure.
D — Falsifying records violates regulatory and HACCP principles
and is unsafe. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Teaching Point: Inspection findings must prompt preventive
actions, not passive acceptance.
2
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 – The Need for Technology and
Hard Data to Enter the Certification Arena
Key Concept: Value of continuous temperature monitoring
Stem: Which evidence most convincingly supports a carrier’s
claim of maintaining the cold chain during transit?
A. Handwritten temperature checks recorded at origin and
destination.
B. Continuous electronic temperature logger with tamper-
evident chain-of-custody.
C. Driver verbal confirmation on arrival.
D. Invoice noting chilled transport service used.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (correct): Continuous electronic records with tamper
evidence provide objective, time-stamped data required for
certification and root-cause analysis in HACCP/GDP systems.
Chapter 1, Technology and Hard Data. (Open Knowledge FAO,
U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
, Distractors:
A — Intermittent handwritten checks are vulnerable to gaps and
errors.
C — Verbal confirmation is not auditable evidence.
D — An invoice is administrative, not proof of maintained
temperatures. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Teaching Point: Objective, continuous data strengthen
certification and traceability.
3
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 – Moving to Measurement and
Causal Analysis
Key Concept: Using data to identify root causes
Stem: A mid-ship refrigerated trailer shows a 4°C spike for 30
minutes mid-route correlated with an abrupt drop in engine
RPM. Best next step for causal analysis?
A. Assume a sensor fault and discard the data.
B. Review telematics, refrigeration run-cycles, and driver log to
identify mechanical or operational causes.
C. Only check cargo temperature on arrival and ignore
telematics.
D. Replace the temperature logger after delivery.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (correct): Effective causal analysis combines
temperature data with telematics and operational logs to
Safety
Key Concept: Role of inspection vs. preventive controls
Stem: A transportation QA manager inspects arriving
refrigerated containers and finds temperatures recorded within
range but notices condensation and residual debris on the floor.
Which action best aligns with a prevention-focused food-safety
strategy?
A. Release the goods because recorded temperatures meet the
specification.
B. Reject or hold the load for cleaning and investigation before
release.
C. Record the observation but release after notifying the
consignee.
D. Adjust the records to reflect acceptable microbial risk and
release.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (correct): Inspection should trigger preventive action
when environmental signs imply possible contamination despite
acceptable temperature logs; holding and cleaning prevents
distribution of adulterated products. Chapter 1, Inspection as
Primary Basis. (FAOHome, U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Distractors:
A — Temperature alone doesn’t rule out contamination risk
from unsanitary surfaces.
,C — Merely notifying without holding or cleaning risks
consumer exposure.
D — Falsifying records violates regulatory and HACCP principles
and is unsafe. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Teaching Point: Inspection findings must prompt preventive
actions, not passive acceptance.
2
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 – The Need for Technology and
Hard Data to Enter the Certification Arena
Key Concept: Value of continuous temperature monitoring
Stem: Which evidence most convincingly supports a carrier’s
claim of maintaining the cold chain during transit?
A. Handwritten temperature checks recorded at origin and
destination.
B. Continuous electronic temperature logger with tamper-
evident chain-of-custody.
C. Driver verbal confirmation on arrival.
D. Invoice noting chilled transport service used.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (correct): Continuous electronic records with tamper
evidence provide objective, time-stamped data required for
certification and root-cause analysis in HACCP/GDP systems.
Chapter 1, Technology and Hard Data. (Open Knowledge FAO,
U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
, Distractors:
A — Intermittent handwritten checks are vulnerable to gaps and
errors.
C — Verbal confirmation is not auditable evidence.
D — An invoice is administrative, not proof of maintained
temperatures. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Teaching Point: Objective, continuous data strengthen
certification and traceability.
3
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 – Moving to Measurement and
Causal Analysis
Key Concept: Using data to identify root causes
Stem: A mid-ship refrigerated trailer shows a 4°C spike for 30
minutes mid-route correlated with an abrupt drop in engine
RPM. Best next step for causal analysis?
A. Assume a sensor fault and discard the data.
B. Review telematics, refrigeration run-cycles, and driver log to
identify mechanical or operational causes.
C. Only check cargo temperature on arrival and ignore
telematics.
D. Replace the temperature logger after delivery.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (correct): Effective causal analysis combines
temperature data with telematics and operational logs to
