Food Handler Practice Test (US) 2026: Practice test 2

Practice test 2 of 5 for the Food Handler Practice Test (US): 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Food safety
United States
120 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
What must you do when cooking raw meat, poultry, fish or eggs in a microwave?
- Cook it to 135°F and serve it right away
- Cook it uncovered on high for exactly 1 minute
- Cook to 165°F, cover it, rotate or stir it, and let it stand 2 minutes
- Cook it to 145°F and put it in the cooler
Show answer
Answer: C. Cook to 165°F, cover it, rotate or stir it, and let it stand 2 minutes
Microwaves heat unevenly. Raw animal foods cooked in a microwave must reach 165°F and stand covered for 2 minutes.
Question 2 of 25
Vegetables, fruits and grains that are cooked to be held hot must reach what temperature?
- 165°F
- 135°F
- 100°F
- 155°F
Show answer
Answer: B. 135°F
Plant foods cooked for hot holding must reach at least 135°F.
Question 3 of 25
When a customer orders a raw or undercooked animal food, such as a rare burger, what must the menu have?
- A written consumer advisory
- The cook's name
- A price discount
- A picture of the food
Show answer
Answer: A. A written consumer advisory
A consumer advisory tells customers that eating raw or undercooked meat, seafood or eggs may increase their risk of foodborne illness.
Question 4 of 25
Which food should never be served undercooked to a highly susceptible population, such as in a nursing home?
- Fully cooked hard-boiled eggs
- Toast
- Raw or undercooked eggs
- Canned peaches
Show answer
Answer: C. Raw or undercooked eggs
Highly susceptible populations should not be served undercooked meat, fish or eggs, raw oysters, raw sprouts, or unpasteurized milk or juice.
Question 5 of 25
Fish that will be served raw, such as in sushi, must first be treated in what way to kill parasites?
- Stored in the cooler for 24 hours
- Rinsed in cold water for 1 minute
- Soaked in lemon juice
- Frozen at -4°F or colder for 7 days
Show answer
Answer: D. Frozen at -4°F or colder for 7 days
The Food Code requires parasite destruction by freezing, for example at -4°F or colder for 7 days, unless the fish is exempt.
Question 6 of 25
Where should you place the tip of a probe thermometer to check a piece of meat?
- Touching the bottom of the pan
- Touching the bone
- Just under the surface
- In the center of the thickest part
Show answer
Answer: D. In the center of the thickest part
The thickest part heats last. Bones and pans can give a false reading.
Question 7 of 25
In this diagram, which marker shows where the tip of the probe should be?
- Marker 2
- Marker 3
- Marker 1
- Marker 4
Show answer
Answer: C. Marker 1
Marker 1 is the center of the thickest part. Markers 2 and 3 are the bone and the tray, which the probe must not touch.
Question 8 of 25
How do you check that a thermometer is accurate using the ice-point method?
- Hold it in the air; it should read 70°F
- Put it in boiling water; it should read 100°F
- Put it in a cup of crushed ice and water; it should read 32°F
- Put it in the freezer; it should read 0°F
Show answer
Answer: C. Put it in a cup of crushed ice and water; it should read 32°F
In a glass of ice and water, an accurate thermometer reads 32°F. If not, adjust or replace it.
Question 9 of 25
What should you do to a probe thermometer before and after each use?
- Clean and sanitize it
- Store it in your pocket
- Wipe it on your apron
- Run it under hot water only
Show answer
Answer: A. Clean and sanitize it
Probe thermometers touch food, so they must be cleaned and sanitized to prevent cross-contamination.
Question 10 of 25
How close to the true temperature must a food thermometer in Fahrenheit read?
- Within 20°F
- Within 15°F
- Within 10°F
- Within 2°F
Show answer
Answer: D. Within 2°F
The Food Code requires food temperature measuring devices scaled in Fahrenheit to be accurate to within 2°F.
Question 11 of 25
Under the Food Code, cooked food must cool from 135°F to 70°F within how long?
- 4 hours
- 8 hours
- 6 hours
- 2 hours
Show answer
Answer: D. 2 hours
The first stage of cooling, from 135°F to 70°F, must happen within 2 hours because germs grow fastest in this range.
Question 12 of 25
What is the total time allowed to cool cooked food from 135°F to 41°F?
- 6 hours
- 8 hours
- 4 hours
- 2 hours
Show answer
Answer: A. 6 hours
Food must reach 70°F within 2 hours and 41°F within a total of 6 hours.
Question 13 of 25
In this cooling diagram, what does marker 2 show?
- Holding food at 135°F
- Cooling from 70°F to 41°F within the next 4 hours
- Reheating food to 165°F
- Cooling from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours
Show answer
Answer: B. Cooling from 70°F to 41°F within the next 4 hours
Marker 2 is the second stage: from 70°F down to 41°F within 4 more hours, so the total is no more than 6 hours.
Question 14 of 25
Tuna salad is made with canned tuna that was at room temperature. How fast must it cool to 41°F?
- Within 8 hours
- Within 4 hours
- Within 24 hours
- Within 12 hours
Show answer
Answer: B. Within 4 hours
TCS food made from room-temperature ingredients must cool to 41°F or colder within 4 hours.
Question 15 of 25
Which is a safe way to cool a large pot of soup?
- Leave it on the counter overnight
- Divide it into shallow pans and stir it in an ice bath
- Put the whole pot in the cooler with a tight lid
- Wrap the pot in towels to keep heat in
Show answer
Answer: B. Divide it into shallow pans and stir it in an ice bath
Large, deep containers cool too slowly. Shallow pans, ice baths, ice paddles and blast chillers speed up cooling.
Question 16 of 25
Ice was used in an ice bath to cool a pot of soup. Can that ice be used in drinks?
- No, ice used to cool food or containers cannot be used as food
- Yes, if it is rinsed first
- Yes, if it is still frozen
- Yes, if it is used within 1 hour
Show answer
Answer: A. No, ice used to cool food or containers cannot be used as food
The Food Code does not allow ice used as a coolant to be used as food or in drinks.
Question 17 of 25
Leftover cooked food that will be held hot must be reheated to what temperature?
- 165°F for 15 seconds
- 145°F for 15 seconds
- 120°F for 1 minute
- 135°F for 15 seconds
Show answer
Answer: A. 165°F for 15 seconds
Cooked and cooled TCS food that will be hot held must be reheated to 165°F for 15 seconds.
Question 18 of 25
Within how long must leftovers be reheated to 165°F for hot holding?
- 4 hours
- 2 hours
- 6 hours
- 8 hours
Show answer
Answer: B. 2 hours
Reheating must be done quickly, within 2 hours, so the food does not sit in the danger zone.
Question 19 of 25
Which equipment should you use to reheat food for hot holding?
- A steam table
- A slow cooker on low
- A food warmer
- A stove, oven or microwave
Show answer
Answer: D. A stove, oven or microwave
Hot holding equipment heats food too slowly. Reheat quickly on a stove, in an oven or in a microwave, then move it to hot holding.
Question 20 of 25
Ready-to-eat food from a sealed commercial package, such as canned chili, must be heated to what temperature for hot holding?
- 165°F
- 155°F
- 100°F
- 135°F
Show answer
Answer: D. 135°F
Commercially processed ready-to-eat food from an intact package only needs to reach 135°F for hot holding.
Question 21 of 25
Which is a safe way to thaw a frozen turkey?
- In the refrigerator
- In a sink of hot water
- On the counter overnight
- Outside in the sun
Show answer
Answer: A. In the refrigerator
Thawing in the refrigerator keeps the food at 41°F or colder. It is the best method but takes planning.
Question 22 of 25
When thawing food under running water, what must the water be like?
- Running and at least 100°F
- Still and salty
- Still and hot
- Running and 70°F or colder
Show answer
Answer: D. Running and 70°F or colder
Food must be fully under cold running water at 70°F or colder, in a food prep sink.
Question 23 of 25
What must you do after thawing raw meat in a microwave?
- Store it in the cooler for 2 days first
- Cook it right away
- Put it back in the freezer
- Leave it on the counter until dinner service
Show answer
Answer: B. Cook it right away
Food thawed in a microwave may get warm in spots, so it must be cooked immediately.
Question 24 of 25
Ready-to-eat TCS food made in house must be date marked if it will be kept in the refrigerator longer than how long?
- 24 hours
- 7 days
- 4 hours
- 2 hours
Show answer
Answer: A. 24 hours
Ready-to-eat TCS food held cold for more than 24 hours must be labeled with a date.
Question 25 of 25
How many days can date-marked ready-to-eat TCS food be kept at 41°F or colder?
- 7 days
- 3 days
- 10 days
- 14 days
Show answer
Answer: A. 7 days
The food must be used or thrown out within 7 days. The day it was made or opened counts as day 1.

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