Question

In a walk-in cooler, which item should be stored on the bottom shelf?

a. Cooked vegetables
b. Raw poultry
c. Ready-to-eat desserts
d. Raw seafood

Answer 1

Raw poultry should be stored on the bottom shelf of a walk-in cooler to prevent cross-contamination with other foods above it, which might not require further cooking to eliminate potential bacteria.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a walk-in cooler, raw poultry should be stored on the bottom shelf. This is important to prevent cross-contamination with other foods, especially items that do not require cooking before consumption such as ready-to-eat desserts. As raw poultry can harbor bacteria such as Salmonella storing it at the lowest level ensures that any potential drips or leaks do not contaminate other foods below it.

Cooked vegetables ready-to-eat desserts, and raw seafood are less likely to contaminate other foods so they can be stored on higher shelves. Especially items like cooked vegetables and ready-to-eat desserts should be placed above raw animal products to avoid the spread of foodborne pathogens.