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Foodborne Illness & the Big 6 Pathogens — Food Handler Certificate Practice Test

Foodborne Illness & the Big 6 PathogensQuestion 1 of 25

25 questions in this topic · 25 drawn at random this round

An employee has an open, draining infected wound (a pustular boil) on the wrist. When is it NOT reportable?

FDA Food Code 2022

All questions are based on the FDA Food Code 2022 — a public-domain federal model code that states adopt. It covers personal hygiene, time & temperature control, cross-contamination, allergens, and cleaning & sanitizing.

Open Handbook Section ↗

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This Food Handler Certificate Foodborne Illness & the Big 6 Pathogens practice set has 25 practice questions based on the official exam materials, each with an instant explanation. You need 75% on the real Food Handler Certificate knowledge test to pass.

Sample questions

Three questions from the Foodborne Illness & the Big 6 Pathogens bank with the correct answer and an explanation. The practice quiz above draws 25 questions at random from the same bank.

  1. Which group of pathogens makes up the FDA's 'Big 6' that a food employee must report if diagnosed?

    • Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Shigella, STEC, Salmonella Typhi, and nontyphoidal Salmonella — Correct answer
    • Listeria, Botulism, Staphylococcus, Campylobacter, Vibrio, and Giardia
    • Norovirus, Salmonella, mold, yeast, E. coli, and Trichinella
    • Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Shigella, Salmonella, Listeria, and Norovirus

    Explanation: The Big 6 reportable foodborne pathogens are Norovirus, Hepatitis A virus, Shigella spp., Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), Salmonella Typhi (Typhoid fever), and nontyphoidal Salmonella.

    Handbook: Foodborne Illness & the Big 6 Pathogens — The Big 6

  2. Norovirus, one of the Big 6 pathogens, is primarily transmitted by which route?

    • The fecal-oral route — Correct answer
    • Through the air from coughing
    • By insect bites
    • Only through undercooked poultry

    Explanation: Norovirus is a Big 6 pathogen spread by the fecal-oral route and causes vomiting and diarrhea. Proper handwashing and excluding sick employees help prevent its spread.

    Handbook: Foodborne Illness & the Big 6 Pathogens — Norovirus

  3. Which Big 6 pathogen is associated with jaundice and spread by the fecal-oral route?

    • Hepatitis A virus — Correct answer
    • Norovirus
    • Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)
    • Shigella spp.

    Explanation: Hepatitis A virus is a Big 6 pathogen associated with jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) and transmitted by the fecal-oral route.

    Handbook: Foodborne Illness & the Big 6 Pathogens — Hepatitis A