New York City Food Protection Practice Test

What is the required action before serving fruits and vegetables raw?

1. Inspect for quality

2. Thoroughly wash them

3. Peel them

4. Cut them into pieces

The correct answer is: Thoroughly wash them

Thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables before serving them raw is essential to remove dirt, bacteria, pesticides, and potential contaminants that may be present on their surfaces. This step is crucial in food safety to prevent foodborne illnesses. Washing helps to ensure that any harmful pathogens are rinsed away, making the produce safer for consumption. It is important to wash all fruits and vegetables, even those with skins that are not eaten, as contaminants can be transferred from the skin to the flesh when cutting. While inspecting for quality is also important and peeling or cutting them may be necessary for preparation, these actions do not address the critical need to eliminate surface contaminants that thorough washing accomplishes. Thus, ensuring that fruits and vegetables are properly cleaned is the foundational step in serving them safely.