How should cold items be stored in the prep cooler?

• A. Store raw above ready-to-eat.
• B. Leave doors open for quick access.
• C. Store only ready-to-eat items.
• D. Store at correct temperatures, with raw above ready-to-eat to avoid drip contamination; close doors.

Answer: (D)

Safe cold storage means two things: keep items at the right temperatures and prevent cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods. In the prep cooler, maintaining the correct cold temps slows bacterial growth and keeps quality, and keeping the doors closed helps maintain a stable, safe environment without warm air sneaking in.

How raw and ready-to-eat items are arranged matters for safety. Storing raw above ready-to-eat is done to prevent drip contamination from raw products, so any liquids coming from raw items don’t reach ready-to-eat foods. Keeping the doors closed also reduces temperature fluctuations, further protecting all items from unsafe warming and potential contamination.