| Score | Rating |
| 25 | Excellent |
| 20-24 | Very good |
| 12-19 | Need improvement |
| 11 or below | Re-examine your food handling practices |
Answers
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False. Store-bought mayonnaise is usually made from pasteurized eggs and contains other ingredients such as salt and lemon juice that can slow the growth of foodborne pathogens. Eating foods made with homemade mayonnaise made with raw eggs is riskier.
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True. Just wiping hands on a towel or rinsing them under tap water, even hot tap water, will not remove foodborne pathogens. Hands should be washed in soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
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False. Food safety experts recommend a temperature of 40°F (5°C) or less. Consumers should use a thermometer to check their refrigerator's temperature and adjust the control dial as needed.
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False. Canned foods last a long time, but not forever. Two years is a safe limit for most foods, but highly acidic foods such as tomatoes should be used within one year.
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True. Most food that is contaminated has no strange odor or visible mold.
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c. About 20% of broiler chickens and 10% of raw ground beef is also contaminated.
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b. or c. Foodborne pathogens can multiply quickly at room temperature. If using the microwave, cook foods immediately after thawing.
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a. Ground meats should be refrigerated and then cooked or frozen within 1-2 days of purchase.
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b. Foods in the door don't stay as cold as foods stored in other parts of the refrigerator. Highly perishable food items should be stored on an inside shelf, which stays colder.
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b. Without power, the refrigerator will keep food cool about 4-6 hours, depending on the temperature of the room. Placing blocks of ice on refrigerator shelves can help keep food cooler for a longer period of time.
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b. An opened package will keep about a week, an unopened package for about 2 weeks. Lunch meats perish more quickly and should be used within 3-5 days of being opened.
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c. Use a meat thermometer in several spots to check that the food is heated all the way through.
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b. It's best to avoid using sponges to clean up potentially contaminated surfaces. If you do use sponges, place them in the dishwasher daily.
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b. Foodborne pathogens multiply rapidly at room temperature. If you are going on a picnic, pack food in insulated carriers with cold packs.
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c. It's safest to order your hamburger well-done—cooked until it is no longer red in the middle and the juices run clear. At home, use a meat thermometer to verify that hamburgers are cooked to at least 160° F (71° C).
Sources: Food and Drug Administration. 1996. Can your kitchen pass the food safety test? Reprint from FDA Consumer Magazine. FDA pub. no. 96-1229. What's your food safety IQ? 1996. Environmental Nutrition, June. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. 1995. A Quick Consumer Guide to Safe Food Handling. Home and Garden Bulletin No. 248.