AAA Food Manager Certification Practice Test

Which of these is NOT a TCS food?

1. Fried chicken

2. Uncooked rice

3. Sliced melon

4. Steak

The correct answer is: Uncooked rice

The correct answer is uncooked rice, as it is not considered a time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food. TCS foods are those that require specific time and temperature conditions to prevent the growth of pathogens and the development of foodborne illnesses. These foods typically contain moisture and protein or are acidic in nature. Fried chicken, sliced melon, and steak are all TCS foods because they contain both moisture and nutrients that bacteria can thrive on if not handled properly. Fried chicken is cooked but remains a TCS food because it must be held at a safe temperature to prevent bacterial growth. Sliced melon is considered TCS because once it is cut, it can potentially harbor pathogens on its surface that can multiply in the moist flesh. Similarly, steak is also a TCS food, as raw or cooked beef must be stored and handled at safe temperatures to prevent foodborne illnesses. Uncooked rice, on the other hand, is dry and does not provide the necessary conditions for bacteria to grow, thus it does not require the same level of temperature control as the other options, making it the correct choice in this context.