Starbucks Food Safety Practice Exam

What does PHF (Potentially Hazardous Food) refer to?

1. Foods that do not support microorganism growth

2. Foods that support rapid growth of microorganisms

3. Only raw foods

4. Foods that are always safe to eat

The correct answer is: Foods that support rapid growth of microorganisms

Potentially Hazardous Food (PHF) refers specifically to foods that support the rapid growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria, molds, and yeast. These types of foods provide the necessary conditions—moisture, nutrients, and an appropriate pH level—required for harmful pathogens to multiply quickly. Examples of PHFs include dairy products, eggs, cooked rice, meats, and cut fruits and vegetables. Understanding what qualifies as PHF is crucial for food safety protocols because these items require particular care in handling, storage, and preparation to prevent foodborne illnesses. The other options are not accurate representations of PHF; foods that do not support microorganism growth are generally considered low-risk, raw foods alone do not comprise all PHFs, and stating that foods are always safe to eat disregards essential food safety practices that need to be followed, especially for PHFs.