ServSafe Food Handler: Food allergens Questions
The nine major US allergens, label reading, cross-contact and talking with guests about their allergies.
27 questions in this topic. The quiz draws 20 at a time. Free, with no sign-up.
Food allergens practice quiz
- 20 questions · 30 minutes · pass mark 75%
- Answers and explanations are shown at the end, with every question to review.
Local requirements and delivery can differ, so check what your state or county asks for.
Key numbers
- 9 major food allergens: milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, sesame
- Staff training covers which foods are major allergens and the symptoms they can cause
- Unpackaged food with a major allergen as an ingredient: the customer gets written notice
Source: FDA Food Code 2022, 1-201.10, 2-103.11, 3-602.12
6 sample food allergens questions and answers
6 of our 27 questions, with the answer and why.
1. How many major food allergens does the current Food Code's allergy-awareness discussion tell managers to know?
Answer: Nine
- A) Six
- B) Seven
- C) Twelve
- D) Nine (correct answer)
Why: The current discussion explicitly refers to nine major food allergens. Six is the separate number of specifically named employee foodborne diagnoses, not the allergen count.
Source: FDA Food Code 2026, Annex 3, 2-103.11
2. A supplier identifies a fish ingredient specifically as cod. Which allergen source does that name identify?
Answer: Fish
- A) Tree nuts
- B) Wheat
- C) Egg
- D) Fish (correct answer)
Why: Cod is given as a fish example in the major-allergen definition. Wheat is a separate allergen source.
Source: FDA Food Code 2026, 1-201.10(B), Major food allergen
3. In the major-allergen definition, how are peanuts represented relative to tree nuts?
Answer: Peanuts are separately named from tree nuts
- A) Peanuts are separately named from tree nuts (correct answer)
- B) Peanuts are omitted because tree nuts cover them
- C) Peanuts need review only when visible as whole pieces
- D) Peanuts count only if they are the largest ingredient
Why: The definition names peanuts separately from tree nuts. Staff should not assume a tree-nut reference replaces consideration of peanuts.
Source: FDA Food Code 2026, 1-201.10(B), Major food allergen
4. A cutting surface has contacted raw cod and will next contact raw beef. What allergen-related preparation is needed before the switch?
Answer: Clean and sanitize the food-contact surface
- A) Wipe the surface with a dry apron
- B) Clean and sanitize the food-contact surface (correct answer)
- C) Leave the fish residue because beef cooks hotter
- D) Move only the visible fish pieces and continue
Why: The Food Code's public-health explanation requires cleaning and sanitizing surfaces that contacted allergenic raw fish before other raw animal foods. A higher later cooking temperature does not remove that cleaning requirement.
Source: FDA Food Code 2026, Annex 3, 4-602.11
5. A worker is assigned to answer guests' allergy questions. Which training topic should be included along with ingredient identification?
Answer: Recognizing allergic-reaction symptoms and how to respond
- A) Promising that small portions cannot cause reactions
- B) Treating absence of a prior complaint as proof of no allergy risk
- C) Recognizing allergic-reaction symptoms and how to respond (correct answer)
- D) Assuming only a rash can be an allergic reaction
Why: The Food Code's suggested training topics include recognizing reaction symptoms and responding. Guest appearance is not a substitute for that training.
Source: FDA Food Code 2026, Annex 3, 2-103.11
6. A diner with a known food allergy begins having reaction symptoms and asks whether to keep tasting the suspected dish. Which immediate food-related step matches FDA guidance?
Answer: Stop eating the food immediately
- A) Stop eating the food immediately (correct answer)
- B) Take another small bite to confirm that the dish is responsible
- C) Finish the dish and seek help only if symptoms persist afterward
- D) Switch to eating only the sauce from the same suspected dish
Why: FDA tells a person with a known food allergy and reaction symptoms to stop eating immediately and seek medical attention. Continuing to eat conflicts with the instruction to stop immediately.
Source: FDA: Food Allergies: What You Need to Know, Food Allergies Can Be Life-Threatening
Keep practicing
This is one food handler quiz of 13, so keep going with another topic.
Want a full 40-question paper? It is on the Food Handler Plan, $2.99 a month. compare the three monthly plans.
Studying for the other exam? Try the Manager food allergens quiz.
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