ServSafe ServSafe Food Labeling & Date Marking 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What information must appear on a label for food stored in a walk-in cooler?
- Name of the food, date it was prepared, and use-by date (Correct answer)
- Only the name of the food and employee initials
- The food cost and portion size
- The supplier name and delivery date
Correct answer: Name of the food, date it was prepared, and use-by date
Labels on stored food must include the food name, preparation date, and use-by date to ensure proper rotation and safety.
Question 2: Ready-to-eat TCS food prepared in-house must be date marked if it will be held for more than how many hours?
- 12 hours
- 24 hours
- 48 hours (Correct answer)
- 72 hours
Correct answer: 48 hours
Ready-to-eat TCS food held for more than 24 hours must be date marked to track its safe holding period.
Question 3: What is the maximum number of days ready-to-eat TCS food can be stored in a cooler at 41°F (5°C) or lower?
- 3 days
- 5 days
- 7 days (Correct answer)
- 10 days
Correct answer: 7 days
Ready-to-eat TCS food stored at 41°F or lower may be held for a maximum of 7 days before it must be discarded.
Question 4: When combining a batch of leftover ready-to-eat food with a freshly prepared batch, which date should the combined container be labeled with?
- Today's date
- The date of the oldest batch (Correct answer)
- The date of the newest batch
- The average of both dates
Correct answer: The date of the oldest batch
When combining batches, the use-by date of the combined product must reflect the oldest batch to prevent serving spoiled food.
Question 5: Which food does NOT require date marking under ServSafe guidelines?
- Sliced deli meats
- Hard cheeses (not sliced) (Correct answer)
- Cooked pasta
- Cut melons
Correct answer: Hard cheeses (not sliced)
Hard, uncut cheeses do not require date marking because they are not considered ready-to-eat TCS food in that form.
Question 6: A container of chili was prepared on Monday. What is the last day it can be served if stored at 41°F or lower?
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Sunday (Correct answer)
- The following Monday
Correct answer: Sunday
Ready-to-eat TCS food prepared Monday can be held up to 7 days, making Sunday the last day it can be served.
ServSafe ServSafe Food Labeling & Date Marking 1
What information must appear on a label for food stored in a walk-in cooler?