Receiving & StorageQuestion 131 of 320
A cook opens a commercial container of ready-to-eat deli ham on Wednesday and will hold it cold at 41°F. What date-marking rule applies?
a.No date mark is needed for commercial products
b.It may be kept 14 days
c.It must be date-marked and used within 7 days, counting the day it was opened/prepared as day 1
d.It must be used the same day
Explanation
Once a commercial container of ready-to-eat TCS food is opened, it must be date-marked and used within 7 days when held at 41°F or below, counting the day of opening or preparation as day 1. Fourteen days is too long, and same-day use is stricter than required. Date marking controls slow-growing pathogens like Listeria under refrigeration.
Law Reference: FDA Food Code §3-501.17Practice all 320 questions free — no signup required.
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