Starbucks Food Safety Practice Exam

What must be done if potentially hazardous foods are left in the Temperature Danger Zone for more than two hours?

1. They can be reheated and served

2. They must be stored in the fridge

3. They should be frozen immediately

4. They must be discarded

The correct answer is: They must be discarded

When potentially hazardous foods are left in the Temperature Danger Zone, which is typically between 41°F (5°C) and 135°F (57°C), for more than two hours, they become unsafe for consumption due to the rapid growth of bacteria. These foods can develop harmful levels of pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses. Discarding these foods is the appropriate course of action because reheating them might not eliminate all the toxins produced by bacteria that may have multiplied during that time. Simply storing them in the fridge or freezing them does not remove the risk associated with the food that has been improperly held at unsafe temperatures. Food safety guidelines emphasize the importance of adhering to safe temperature practices to prevent foodborne illness. Thus, the proper response to this situation is to discard the potentially hazardous food to ensure the health and safety of customers.