Food Safety Certification Practice Test

What is the first step before measuring temperatures with a thermometer?

1. Wash the thermometer

2. Calibrate the thermometer

3. Insert it into food

4. Check the battery

The correct answer is: Calibrate the thermometer

Calibrating the thermometer before measuring temperatures is essential to ensure accuracy. Thermometers can deviate from their true readings over time, especially if they are frequently used or improperly stored. Calibration involves adjusting the thermometer to ensure it reads temperatures accurately, typically by comparing it to a known reference point, such as the freezing or boiling point of water. This step is crucial in food safety, as incorrect temperature readings can lead to insufficient cooking or improper storage, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses. While washing the thermometer is important for hygiene, checking the battery may be necessary for certain types of thermometers, and inserting it into food is the actual measuring step, none of these actions ensure that the instrument provides reliable temperature readings as calibration does.