Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS) Practice Exam

Which item is most crucial for tracking potential Hepatitis A outbreaks?

1. Shellstock tags

2. Food temperature logs

3. Employee health records

4. Inventory lists

The correct answer is: Shellstock tags

Shellstock tags are crucial for tracking potential Hepatitis A outbreaks because they provide vital information about the source and handling of shellfish. These tags record the origin of the shellfish, the harvesting date, and other relevant data which can be instrumental during an investigation of a Hepatitis A outbreak linked to contaminated shellfish. Since Hepatitis A can be transmitted through contaminated food, particularly shellfish sourced from polluted waters, these tags facilitate the tracing of the product back to the harvesting location. In contrast, food temperature logs primarily focus on ensuring foods are stored and held at safe temperatures to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth, but do not contain specific information related to potential sources of Hepatitis A. Employee health records are important for assessing the health of food handlers and preventing the spread of illnesses, but they may not provide direct information regarding the foods involved in a Hepatitis A outbreak. Inventory lists help track what food items are available, but they do not provide the necessary tracking details for shellfish that could be implicated in an outbreak.