Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

Ground beef has been cooked and cooled for the taco salad. How should the CDM handle serving the ground beef on a self-serve bar?

1. Serve directly from the cooking pot

2. Place the ground beef on an open counter

3. Serve it in a bowl without temperature control

4. Place small amounts at a time in pre-cooled insulated containers

The correct answer is: Place small amounts at a time in pre-cooled insulated containers

Ground beef that has been cooked and cooled should be handled properly to prevent foodborne illness. Serving the ground beef directly from the cooking pot may lead to bacterial growth as the temperature may not be maintained at safe levels. Placing the ground beef on an open counter can also lead to temperature abuse and microbial contamination. Serving it in a bowl without temperature control also poses a risk for food safety. The correct answer is to place small amounts of the cooked and cooled ground beef at a time in pre-cooled insulated containers. This method helps to maintain the temperature of the ground beef and prevent bacterial growth, ensuring food safety for the consumers.