California eFoodHandlers Practice Exam

What critical information should be included when labeling food for storage?

1. Food name and expiration date

2. Food name and date it was prepared

3. Food name and weight

4. Food name and storage instructions

The correct answer is: Food name and date it was prepared

When labeling food for storage, including the food name and the date it was prepared is essential for several reasons. The food name allows anyone who accesses the storage area to identify the specific item quickly, reducing the risk of confusion and cross-contamination with other products. The date it was prepared provides vital information regarding the freshness and safety of the food. This date is crucial in ensuring food is consumed within its appropriate time frame to prevent spoilage and foodborne illnesses. Knowing when the food was made helps in managing stock rotation, ensuring that older items are used first (first in, first out). The other options may include important details, but they do not encompass the same critical elements for safety and quality management as the combination of the food name and preparation date. For example, the expiration date may not reflect food safety for homemade items, and weight can be less relevant for stored food labels than freshness information. Similarly, storage instructions are useful but do not provide context about when the food was made, which is a key factor in determining its safety for consumption.