Ontario Food Handler Certification Practice Exam

What should you do if you accidentally drop food on the floor?

1. Pick it up and eat it

2. Discard it unless it can be properly cleaned and sanitized

3. Rinse it under water

4. Throw it away only if it looks dirty

The correct answer is: Discard it unless it can be properly cleaned and sanitized

If food is accidentally dropped on the floor, the best practice is to discard it unless it can be properly cleaned and sanitized. This approach is essential for maintaining food safety standards. When food comes into contact with a potentially contaminated surface, it can pick up bacteria or toxins that are harmful if consumed. Cleaning and sanitizing the food may not effectively eliminate all risks, especially if the contamination is significant. Rinsing food under water may not remove all pathogens, as some can adhere firmly to the food's surface. Simply throwing the food away only if it looks dirty does not account for invisible contaminants that can pose health risks. The focus is on ensuring consumer safety, thus making it crucial to err on the side of caution and discard any food that has fallen on the floor.