ServSafe Final Exam – Comprehensive
Study Guide with Expert-Verified
Questions & Answers | Newest
2025/2026 Edition
Question 1
What is a foodborne illness outbreak?
Answer: Two or more people sick from the same food, confirmed by lab analysis
Rationale: An outbreak involves multiple cases linked to a common food source, verified by
testing.
Question 2
Who is at higher risk for foodborne illness?
Answer: Elderly, infants, pregnant women, immunocompromised
Rationale: These groups have weaker immune systems, increasing vulnerability.
Question 3
What is a common source of parasites in food?
Answer: Seafood
Rationale: Parasites like Anisakis are often found in fish and shellfish.
Question 4
What toxin is associated with reef fish like amberjack?
Answer: Ciguatera toxin
Rationale: Ciguatera is a toxin found in certain reef fish, causing illness.
Question 5
What is the minimum internal cooking temperature for poultry?
Answer: 165°F for 1 second
Rationale: Ensures destruction of pathogens like Salmonella.
,Question 6
What is the minimum internal cooking temperature for ground beef?
Answer: 155°F for 17 seconds
Rationale: Kills E. coli and other pathogens in ground meats.
Question 7
What is the minimum internal cooking temperature for pork chops?
Answer: 145°F for 15 seconds
Rationale: Ensures safety while maintaining quality.
Question 8
What is the danger zone temperature range?
Answer: 41°F to 135°F
Rationale: Pathogens grow rapidly in this temperature range.
Question 9
How long can cold TCS food be held at 41°F or lower?
Answer: 7 days
Rationale: Limits bacterial growth in refrigerated TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety)
food.
Question 10
How long can hot TCS food be held at 135°F or higher?
Answer: 4 hours
Rationale: Prevents pathogen growth during hot holding.
Question 11
What is cross-contamination?
Answer: Transfer of pathogens from one surface to another
Rationale: A leading cause of foodborne illness.
Question 12
How should raw meat be stored in a refrigerator?
, Answer: Below ready-to-eat foods
Rationale: Prevents drips from contaminating other foods.
Question 13
What is the proper way to wash hands in a food service setting?
Answer: Scrub with soap for 10-15 seconds, rinse, dry
Rationale: Proper handwashing removes pathogens effectively.
Question 14
When must food handlers wash their hands?
Answer: Before starting work, after touching raw food, after restroom use
Rationale: Prevents contamination at critical points.
Question 15
What is the purpose of a food safety management system?
Answer: Prevent foodborne illness through controls
Rationale: Systems like HACCP ensure consistent safety practices.
Question 16
What does HACCP stand for?
Answer: Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
Rationale: HACCP identifies and controls food safety hazards.
Question 17
What is a critical control point (CCP)?
Answer: Step where a hazard can be prevented or reduced
Rationale: CCPs are key to managing food safety risks.
Question 18
What is the minimum internal temperature for reheating TCS food?
Answer: 165°F within 2 hours
Rationale: Ensures pathogens are killed during reheating.
Study Guide with Expert-Verified
Questions & Answers | Newest
2025/2026 Edition
Question 1
What is a foodborne illness outbreak?
Answer: Two or more people sick from the same food, confirmed by lab analysis
Rationale: An outbreak involves multiple cases linked to a common food source, verified by
testing.
Question 2
Who is at higher risk for foodborne illness?
Answer: Elderly, infants, pregnant women, immunocompromised
Rationale: These groups have weaker immune systems, increasing vulnerability.
Question 3
What is a common source of parasites in food?
Answer: Seafood
Rationale: Parasites like Anisakis are often found in fish and shellfish.
Question 4
What toxin is associated with reef fish like amberjack?
Answer: Ciguatera toxin
Rationale: Ciguatera is a toxin found in certain reef fish, causing illness.
Question 5
What is the minimum internal cooking temperature for poultry?
Answer: 165°F for 1 second
Rationale: Ensures destruction of pathogens like Salmonella.
,Question 6
What is the minimum internal cooking temperature for ground beef?
Answer: 155°F for 17 seconds
Rationale: Kills E. coli and other pathogens in ground meats.
Question 7
What is the minimum internal cooking temperature for pork chops?
Answer: 145°F for 15 seconds
Rationale: Ensures safety while maintaining quality.
Question 8
What is the danger zone temperature range?
Answer: 41°F to 135°F
Rationale: Pathogens grow rapidly in this temperature range.
Question 9
How long can cold TCS food be held at 41°F or lower?
Answer: 7 days
Rationale: Limits bacterial growth in refrigerated TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety)
food.
Question 10
How long can hot TCS food be held at 135°F or higher?
Answer: 4 hours
Rationale: Prevents pathogen growth during hot holding.
Question 11
What is cross-contamination?
Answer: Transfer of pathogens from one surface to another
Rationale: A leading cause of foodborne illness.
Question 12
How should raw meat be stored in a refrigerator?
, Answer: Below ready-to-eat foods
Rationale: Prevents drips from contaminating other foods.
Question 13
What is the proper way to wash hands in a food service setting?
Answer: Scrub with soap for 10-15 seconds, rinse, dry
Rationale: Proper handwashing removes pathogens effectively.
Question 14
When must food handlers wash their hands?
Answer: Before starting work, after touching raw food, after restroom use
Rationale: Prevents contamination at critical points.
Question 15
What is the purpose of a food safety management system?
Answer: Prevent foodborne illness through controls
Rationale: Systems like HACCP ensure consistent safety practices.
Question 16
What does HACCP stand for?
Answer: Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
Rationale: HACCP identifies and controls food safety hazards.
Question 17
What is a critical control point (CCP)?
Answer: Step where a hazard can be prevented or reduced
Rationale: CCPs are key to managing food safety risks.
Question 18
What is the minimum internal temperature for reheating TCS food?
Answer: 165°F within 2 hours
Rationale: Ensures pathogens are killed during reheating.
