Why must raw pork sausage be stored separately and below a crab salad within the walk in cooler?

This is a crucial question that highlights the importance of food safety! Here's why raw pork sausage must be stored separately and below a crab salad within a walk-in cooler:

* Cross-contamination: Raw pork sausage can contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Trichinella, which can cause foodborne illness. Storing it above crab salad risks these bacteria dripping onto the salad, contaminating it.

* Temperature control: Crab salad, being a perishable food, needs to be kept at a colder temperature (generally 40°F or below) to prevent bacterial growth. Keeping the sausage below the salad helps ensure the salad remains at a safe temperature.

Key takeaway: This practice is essential for preventing cross-contamination and ensuring food safety. It's important to follow similar guidelines for storing any raw meat or poultry above ready-to-eat foods.