Food Safety Certification Practice Test

Bacteria that cause foodborne illness will usually only grow on foods that have a pH at what level or above?

1. 3.5

2. 4.6

3. 5.0

4. 6.0

The correct answer is: 4.6

Bacteria that cause foodborne illness typically thrive in environments that are more favorable for their growth, which is often associated with certain levels of acidity measured by pH. A pH level of 4.6 is significant because it serves as a critical threshold in food safety practices. Below this pH, the acidity of the food is usually sufficient to inhibit the growth of most harmful bacteria. This is why foods with a pH of 4.6 or higher are considered more susceptible to bacterial growth and are of particular concern when it comes to food safety. Foods that fall below this pH level, such as those that are more acidic (like many fruits and pickled products), are generally safer from the proliferation of foodborne pathogens. In contrast, other pH levels mentioned in the choices would not provide the same level of risk as the 4.6 mark, making it clear why that specific number is the benchmark for understanding bacterial growth in food safety.