Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the standard approach to pests in California food facilities. Which is the BEST description of the IPM hierarchy?
Explanation
California Retail Food Code HSC §114259.1 requires food facilities to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a layered approach that prioritizes non-chemical controls and treats pesticides as a last resort. The IPM hierarchy is: (1) PREVENT — seal entry points, install air curtains and door sweeps, screen windows; (2) DENY — eliminate food, water, and harborage (clean spills immediately, fix leaks, store food in pest-resistant containers, manage outdoor dumpster area); (3) MONITOR — use traps, glue boards, and inspection logs to detect activity early; (4) TREAT — when chemical control is necessary, only a licensed Pest Control Operator (PCO) may apply pesticides inside a California food facility, working off-hours with food and utensils protected. Option A is calendar-based spraying without monitoring, which IPM specifically rejects as wasteful and resistance-inducing. Option C ignores prevention. Option D unsafely allows untrained pesticide application by food workers, which is illegal in California. IPM is the only approach that meets CRFC, EPA, and CDPH expectations.
Law Reference: HSC §114259.1Practice all 319 questions free — no signup required.
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