If a food handler receives a delivery and finds meats at 39°F and lettuce at 49°F, what should the handler do?

Get ready for the NEHA Certified Professional Food Manager exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, ensure you understand food safety protocols. Prepare effectively and boost your confidence for the test!

When a food handler receives a delivery, it's essential to ensure that all items are stored at proper temperatures to maintain food safety. Meats should ideally be received at 41°F or lower to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. In this case, the meat is at 39°F, which is acceptable, so the handler should accept the meat.

On the other hand, lettuce and other leafy greens should also be ideally maintained at temperatures below 41°F, and finding lettuce at 49°F is a concern because it is above the safe temperature threshold. This raises the risk of bacterial growth which can lead to foodborne illnesses.

Thus, accepting the meat while rejecting the lettuce is the best action to take. This decision allows the handler to maintain food safety standards by preventing potentially unsafe food from being served, while the acceptable quality of the meat can be utilized.

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