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ServSafe ServSafe-Manager Exam Questions
ServSafe Manager (Page 4 )

Updated On: 15-Feb-2026
Page 3 of 19
PDF with 90 Questions

A food worker is not sure when the dry-storage area needs to be cleaned.
What can be done to find out when to clean it?

  1. Wait until told to clean it.
  2. Check the master cleaning schedule.
  3. Review the cleaning duty roster worksheet.
  4. Find out when the next inspection is scheduled.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

In any professional food service operation, the Master Cleaning Schedule is the authoritative document that ensures all areas of the facility--even those not involved in direct food contact, like the dry-storage area--remain sanitary. According to ServSafe Manager principles, a master cleaning schedule must be detailed and comprehensive to prevent any part of the facility from being overlooked. It serves as a management tool that identifies four essential elements: what should be cleaned, who should clean it, when it should be cleaned, and how it should be cleaned.

A "cleaning duty roster" might list daily tasks for a specific shift, but the Master Cleaning Schedule is the overarching plan that includes deep-cleaning tasks, such as those for floors, walls, and shelving in dry-storage zones. Dry-storage areas are particularly prone to accumulating dust, spills, and attracting pests if not maintained on a regular cycle. Relying on an employee to "wait until told" or "find out the inspection date" is a reactive approach that increases the risk of a food safety violation or a pest infestation. The FDA Food Code emphasizes that the Person in Charge (PIC) is responsible for ensuring that the facility is maintained in a clean and physical condition. By checking the master schedule, the food worker can identify the exact frequency (e.g., weekly or monthly) and the specific methods required to maintain the dry-storage area. This documentation also provides a "verification" trail for health inspectors, demonstrating that the operation has an active managerial control system in place for facility maintenance. Effective cleaning in storage areas prevents cross-contamination of packaged goods and ensures that the facility remains in compliance with general sanitation standards.



Who is required to wear a hair restraint while working?

  1. Greeters
  2. Cashiers
  3. Dishwashers
  4. Hosts

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Personal hygiene is a cornerstone of food safety, and hair restraints are a mandatory requirement for any staff member working in food-preparation areas or areas where equipment and utensils are cleaned. According to the ServSafe Manager curriculum and the FDA Food Code, hair restraints-- such as hats, hairnets, or beard restraints--are designed to prevent hair from falling into food and onto food-contact surfaces. Hair is a physical contaminant and can also carry pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus.

The requirement specifically targets "food handlers," which the FDA defines as anyone working with exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, or unwrapped single-service items. In this question, Dishwashers are the only group listed who directly interact with clean equipment and utensils.
While they may not be preparing food, their proximity to clean plates, silverware, and the "clean end" of the dish machine makes hair restraint mandatory to prevent contamination of surfaces that will later touch food or a customer's mouth. Conversely, Greeters, Cashiers, and Hosts typically work in the "front of house" or at the entrance. Because these roles generally do not involve handling open food or cleaning kitchen equipment, they are usually exempt from the hair-restraint requirement, though they must still maintain high standards of personal neatness. For those in the kitchen, the restraint must effectively keep hair away from the face and shoulders. Managers must strictly enforce this rule for all back-of-house staff, including prep cooks, line cooks, and dishwashers, as a single strand of hair found in a meal or on a "clean" utensil can lead to both customer dissatisfaction and regulatory citations.



A food handler is assigned to monitor self-service food bars because customers may:

  1. need help in selecting food.
  2. attempt to steal food from the line.
  3. place too much food on their plates.
  4. contaminate food while moving through the line.

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

Self-service areas, such as buffets and salad bars, present a significant challenge to food safety because the food is exposed to the public. ServSafe Manager guidelines require that these areas be monitored by trained employees primarily to prevent accidental or intentional contamination by customers. Unlike a controlled kitchen environment, customers in a self-service line may not be aware of food safety protocols. Common risks include customers using the wrong utensil for a dish (cross-contamination of allergens), returning to the line with a "dirty" plate for seconds (introducing saliva or bacteria from their previous meal), or children touching the food or sneeze guards.

The presence of a food handler acting as a monitor is a critical "Active Managerial Control" measure.

This employee's role is to ensure that sneeze guards remain in place, that utensils are kept in the food with handles pointing out, and that customers follow proper hygiene practices. If a customer is seen contaminating food--for example, by using their hands or sneezing near the display--the monitor must immediately remove the contaminated product and sanitize the area.
While helping customers select food or preventing "food theft" may be secondary tasks, the primary safety objective is to protect the integrity of the food from biological, physical, and chemical hazards. The FDA Food Code specifically mandates that "effective measures" must be taken to protect food in self- service areas, and dedicated monitoring is often the most effective method. Furthermore, the monitor ensures that the food remains at proper temperatures (135°F or higher for hot food, 41°F or lower for cold food) and that the "First In, First Out" (FIFO) method is used when replenishing items.



For a foodborne illness to be considered a confirmed outbreak, at least how many people must become sick?

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 4
  4. 6

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

According to the National Restaurant Association and the CDC standards used by ServSafe, a foodborne-illness outbreak is defined by three specific criteria. First, two or more people must experience the same symptoms after eating the same food. Second, an investigation must be conducted by state or local regulatory authorities (such as the health department). Third, the outbreak must be confirmed by laboratory analysis, which identifies the specific pathogen (like Salmonella or Norovirus) in both the affected individuals and the food source.

Understanding this definition is vital for a Food Protection Manager because the reporting and investigation process only "confirms" an outbreak when that second person is linked to the event. A single case (Option A) is considered an "illness" but not an "outbreak," though it should still be taken seriously. There are rare exceptions--such as cases of Botulism or Scombroid poisoning--where even a single case may trigger an immediate emergency investigation, but for the general purposes of the ServSafe exam and standard regulatory definitions, the number is two.
When a suspected outbreak occurs, the Manager's role is to cooperate with the authorities, isolate any remaining suspected food (labeling it "Do Not Use/Do Not Discard"), and provide records like temperature logs and staff schedules. This helps investigators trace the source of the contamination, whether it was a failure in the "Flow of Food" (like improper cooling) or a sick employee. Proactive management and adherence to the FDA Food Code are designed to prevent these outbreaks from occurring by breaking the chain of contamination before it can affect multiple guests.



Which is an example of possible chemical contamination?

  1. Sauerkraut stored in a glass jar
  2. Tomato juice stored in a plastic jar
  3. Orange juice stored in a copper pitcher
  4. Grapefruit juice stored in a china pitcher

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Chemical contamination occurs when toxic substances are introduced into food, often through improper storage or the use of non-food-grade materials. A classic and frequently tested example in the ServSafe Manager curriculum is the storage of acidic food or beverages in copper containers. Orange juice is highly acidic.
When an acidic liquid comes into contact with copper, it causes a chemical reaction known as "leaching," where copper ions dissolve into the liquid. If consumed, this can lead to heavy metal poisoning, resulting in symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, often occurring within minutes.

The FDA Food Code strictly prohibits the use of "reactive metals"--including copper, brass, lead, pewter, and galvanized zinc--for the storage or preparation of acidic foods. Other examples include storing tomato sauce in a copper pot or lemonade in a galvanized bucket. In contrast, glass, food- grade plastic, and most modern china are considered "non-reactive" and safe for acidic items. Managers must ensure that all equipment used in the kitchen is labeled as "food-grade" or bears the NSF/ANSI certification. This also extends to the use of chemicals like cleaners, sanitizers, and polishes, which must be stored away from food-prep areas in their original containers or clearly labeled secondary containers. This specific hazard (toxic metal leaching) highlights the importance of understanding the chemical properties of both the food and the equipment being used. By ensuring that acidic foods never touch reactive metals, a manager eliminates a significant and preventable chemical hazard from the operation.






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