Food Safety - True or False Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

It's okay to thaw perishable food like frozen chicken and beef on the kitchen counter or in the sink.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

Perishable food like frozen chicken and beef should not be thawed at room temperature. This is because the outside of the food may reach the danger zone (above 4°C/40°F) before the inside of the food is thawed. Thawing perishable food at room temperature increases your risk of food borne illness.
There are three safe ways to defrost food:

• In the refrigerator: Any frozen food can safely be thawed in the refrigerator. When thawing raw meat, put it in a container to prevent juices from dripping and contaminating other foods.

• In cold water: Place food in a leak proof plastic bag and put it in cold water.  Make sure the water stays cold by changing it every 30 minutes. Once the food is thawed, cook it right away.

• In the microwave: Use plastic containers and wraps in the microwave that have been labelled as “microwaves safe” or use glass.  Follow instructions on your microwave to find out the time needed to defrost your food. Cut larger pieces of food into smaller pieces so that they can be heated evenly. If bacteria are present, they may grow quickly in unevenly heated areas that are above 4°C/40°F and below 60°C/140°F.  

Foods should be put away in the fridge or freezer within two hours.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

is important to refrigerate or freeze food within two hours or less. This slows down growth of any bacteria or bacterial spores that might be present. Follow these tips for leftovers:

• Very hot items can first be cooled at room temperature. Put the food in a shallow dish so it cools more quickly.

• Once cooled, refrigerate all leftovers promptly so that they continue to cool quickly.  Use a lid, aluminum foil or cling wrap to cover the food.

• Avoid overstocking your refrigerator to allow cool air to circulate freely.

Milk and eggs can be stored in the refrigerator door.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

 Do not place milk or eggs in the refrigerator door. To keep eggs at their freshest, store them in their original carton.

One of the best ways to prevent contaminating foods is to wash your hands.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

Wash your hands before handling food. Also wash your hands after handling raw meat and seafood, after using the washroom, after changing diapers, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing and after touching pets. By doing this, you will avoid spreading germs when you touch other things around your home.

You can tell if food is still safe to eat by smelling it.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

You can't tell if a food is contaminated with harmful bacteria by looking at it, smelling it or tasting it. When in doubt - throw it out!

Keep raw foods and cooked foods separate.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

It is important to keep raw foods and cooked foods separate to prevent cross-contamination and foodborne illnesses. The correct choice is TRUE.

Fruits and vegetables should be washed, even if you're peeling them.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

Fruits and vegetables should be washed, even if you're peeling them. This is true because washing helps remove dirt, bacteria, and pesticides that may be present on the surface.

The temperature at which you cook leftovers doesn’t matter because it’s already cooked.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

The statement is false. The temperature at which you cook leftovers does matter because it affects their safety and taste.

Steaks can be eaten rare.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

It is safe to eat steaks rare or medium-rare as long as the internal temperature reaches 63°C (145°F).  Bacteria are present on the surface of the meat and not on the inside.  Ground beef, on the other hand, has to be cooked all the way through to an internal temperature of 71°C (160°F). Use a digital food thermometer to measure the internal temperature of your burger or meatballs.

Pregnant women, infants, seniors and people with a weakened immune system are at greater risk of developing foodborne illness.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

Pregnant women, infants, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to foodborne illness. Therefore, the correct choice is TRUE.