Food Safety Food Allergen Awareness 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many major food allergens are recognized by the FDA under the FASTER Act of 2021?
- 6
- 8
- 9 (Correct answer)
- 11
Correct answer: 9
The FASTER Act of 2021 added sesame as the 9th major food allergen, joining milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans.
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT one of the FDA's nine major food allergens?
- Sesame
- Corn (Correct answer)
- Peanuts
- Shellfish
Correct answer: Corn
Corn is not on the FDA's list of nine major allergens; the list includes milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.
Question 3: A customer tells a server they have a severe peanut allergy. What is the MOST important first step for the food handler?
- Suggest menu items that look peanut-free
- Alert the kitchen staff and manager immediately (Correct answer)
- Offer the customer a menu with calories listed
- Check if any ingredients contain peanut oil
Correct answer: Alert the kitchen staff and manager immediately
Immediately alerting the kitchen and manager ensures the entire team is aware so cross-contact can be prevented throughout food preparation and service.
Question 4: What term describes the unintentional transfer of an allergen from one food or surface to another?
- Cross-contamination
- Cross-contact (Correct answer)
- Allergen transfer
- Secondary exposure
Correct answer: Cross-contact
Cross-contact specifically refers to the transfer of an allergenic protein to a food that does not intentionally contain that allergen, which can trigger an allergic reaction.
Question 5: Which action BEST prevents allergen cross-contact when preparing a meal for an allergic customer?
- Rinsing the shared pan with hot water before use
- Using dedicated, color-coded equipment for allergen-free dishes (Correct answer)
- Cooking the allergen-free item first in the same pan
- Wearing gloves while handling all ingredients
Correct answer: Using dedicated, color-coded equipment for allergen-free dishes
Dedicated, color-coded equipment eliminates the risk of allergen proteins persisting on surfaces, which rinsing alone cannot fully remove.
Question 6: Under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), allergens must be declared on packaged food labels using which format?
- Placed only in the ingredient list in bold text
- Listed in a 'Contains' statement or clearly identified within the ingredient list (Correct answer)
- Posted on a separate allergen warning placard on the package
- Disclosed only if the allergen exceeds 2% of the total ingredients
Correct answer: Listed in a 'Contains' statement or clearly identified within the ingredient list
FALCPA requires that major food allergens be declared either within the ingredient list in plain language or in a separate 'Contains' statement immediately after.
Question 7: A guest experiences hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing shortly after eating. These symptoms most likely indicate:
- Food poisoning from bacteria
- An anaphylactic allergic reaction (Correct answer)
- A foodborne virus infection
- Lactose intolerance
Correct answer: An anaphylactic allergic reaction
Hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing are classic signs of anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate emergency response.
Food Safety Food Allergen Awareness 1
How many major food allergens are recognized by the FDA under the FASTER Act of 2021?