In what order should raw food items be stored on a shelf, from top to bottom?

The correct order for storing raw food items on a shelf, from top to bottom, is based on food safety principles, particularly to prevent cross-contamination. It is essential to store food items based on their cooking temperatures and the risk of bacterial contamination they may carry.

Starting with cut lettuce at the top is correct because it is a ready-to-eat item. These types of food should always be stored above raw foods to prevent any potential drips or contamination from raw products.

Next is raw salmon, which generally has a higher cooking temperature requirement than raw hamburger. Storing raw salmon above raw hamburger minimizes the risk of any bacteria from the hamburger dripping onto the salmon, which is critical for maintaining food safety.

Following that is raw hamburger, which is typically stored below raw salmon in the hierarchy of safety. Ground meats can carry pathogens, and by positioning them lower, any potential drips from this meat do not contaminate other items that are either cooked or ready to eat.

Lastly, raw chicken should always be placed at the bottom. Chicken is often associated with higher risks of foodborne illnesses and has the highest cooking temperature requirement of the items listed. Storing raw chicken on the bottom ensures that if juice leaks from the chicken, it will not contaminate