Review food safety scenarios and answer questions in relation to Food Safety.
Consult the Food Safety Scenarios document and then complete the following for each scenario:
Scenario 1
- Write at least 50-word responses to each of the following questions. Be clear and concise, use complete sentences, and explain your answers using specific examples.
- Based on Scenario 1, what are the possible sources of food-borne illness?
- Although Jeremiah did not get sick, there were several areas throughout Jeremiah’s day that could have led him to a serious case of food-borne illness. Point out these areas and briefly explain why they are of concern and what Jeremiah could have done differently.
- Why is it safe for steak to be pink in the middle, but potentially dangerous for a hamburger not to be cooked all the way through?
Scenario 2
- Write at least 50-word responses to each of the following questions. Be clear and concise, use complete sentences, and explain your answers using specific examples.
- How could this illness have been prevented?
- Based on the incubation period and symptoms of the illness, what is the most likely microorganism responsible for this illness?
- Describe the temperature danger zone.
- How could Martha have sped up the cooling process of the lasagna?
- If the leftover lasagna was thoroughly reheated, (which it was), how did it still lead to food-borne illness?
Scenario 3
- Write at least 50-word responses to each of the following questions. Be clear and concise, use complete sentences, and explain your answers using specific examples.
- What could be the cause of Sally and her family members’ illness?
- How could this illness have been prevented?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Food safety is an important aspect of maintaining a healthy life. It is essential to understand the various food safety scenarios in order to take necessary precautions to prevent food-borne illnesses. In this assignment, you will review three food safety scenarios and answer questions related to each scenario.
Answer:
Scenario 1:
Possible sources of food-borne illness in Scenario 1 could be the contaminated food from the food truck or the unwashed produce used in the salad.
Throughout Jeremiah’s day, several areas could have led him to a serious case of food-borne illness. Firstly, he ate food from a food truck, which is a potential source of contamination. Secondly, the unwashed produce used in the salad could have been contaminated. Finally, he left the salad out in the sun for a prolonged time, which allowed bacteria to grow.
It is safe for steak to be pink in the middle as the bacteria are present only on the surface of the meat. However, ground beef is made by grinding the surface and the insides of the meat, which spreads the bacteria throughout the meat. Thus, it is dangerous for hamburger not to be cooked all the way through.
Scenario 2:
This illness could have been prevented by practicing proper food handling techniques like washing hands before cooking, cooking food to appropriate temperatures, and storing food under appropriate conditions.
Based on the incubation period and symptoms of the illness, the most likely microorganism responsible for this illness is Staphylococcus aureus.
The temperature danger zone is the range of temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, at which bacteria can grow rapidly.
Martha could have sped up the cooling process of the lasagna by dividing it into smaller portions and using an ice bath.
Even though the leftover lasagna was thoroughly reheated, it was left at room temperature for too long which allowed bacteria to grow, thus causing food-borne illness.
Scenario 3:
The cause of Sally and her family members’ illness could be the consumption of undercooked chicken.
This illness could have been prevented by cooking the chicken to an appropriate temperature, avoiding cross-contamination, and practicing proper food handling techniques.