Public health and safety experts estimate that millions of illnesses in the United States can be traced back to contaminated food and foodborne illnesses.Think you know how to protect yourself from these diseases? Take this quiz to test your knowledge.
Q: What are the four steps you need to take to keep food safe from harmful bacteria?(Hint: the first letters are C S C C)
A: Clean: Wash hands and cooking/preparing surfaces often. Separate: Prepare meats, vegetables, etc. on separate surfaces using separate utensils - and don't cross-contaminate. Cook: Cook foods to proper temperatures, and use a thermometer to check. Chill: Don't let foods sit out; refrigerate them promptly.
Q: How long do you need to wash your hands to be sure that they are bacteria free? a. 5 seconds b. 20 seconds c. 30 seconds d. 60 seconds
A: b. 20 seconds. Make sure you use warm, soapy water.
Q: True or False: You can tell if a food is contaminated with bacteria by its smell and appearance.
A: False. Bacteria can be present but not detected by sight or smell.
Q. How long and at what temperature do you need to cook spinach to kill E. coli? a. 5 seconds at 100 degrees Fahrenheit b. 15 seconds at 160 degrees Fahrenheit c. 30 seconds at 180 degrees Fahrenheit d. 65 seconds at 170 degrees Fahrenheit
A. b. 15 seconds at 160 degrees Fahrenheit
Q. At what temperature should perishable fresh fruits and vegetables be stored in order to maintain their quality? a. 38 degrees Fahrenheit b. 40 degrees Fahrenheit c. 46 degrees Fahrenheit d. 50 degrees Fahrenheit
A. b. 40 degrees Fahrenheit
Q. True or False: You should wash fresh fruits and vegetables with a soap or detergent.
A. False. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be rinsed under running tap water, but detergent isn't necessary.
For more information on foodborne illnesses and tips on how to prevent them, visit www.fightbac.org.
