Starbucks Food Safety Practice Exam

What must be done to all fruits and vegetables served raw before they are presented to consumers?

1. Peeling

2. Freezing

3. Thorough washing

4. Cooking

The correct answer is: Thorough washing

Thorough washing is essential for all fruits and vegetables served raw to remove dirt, bacteria, and potential pesticide residues that may be present on their surfaces. This cleaning process helps ensure food safety by minimizing the risk of foodborne illness. Fruits and vegetables are often handled in various ways before they reach the consumer, including transportation and storage, which can expose them to contaminants. Washing them thoroughly before serving mitigates these risks and is a critical step in safe food handling practices. In the context of food safety, peeling and cooking are not always necessary, as many fruits and vegetables are commonly consumed raw, and washing is sufficient to eliminate surface contaminants. Freezing is not a substitute for washing; while it can kill certain pathogens, it does not remove physical dirt or chemical residues that might be present. Thus, thorough washing remains the most appropriate and recommended practice for ensuring the safety of raw fruits and vegetables.