In top-to-bottom order, how should a fresh beef roast, fresh halibut, pepperoni, and a pan of ground chicken be stored in a cooler?

In proper food storage, it is essential to understand the concept of cross-contamination and the importance of placing foods in a cooler according to their cooking or handling requirements. When organizing items in a cooler, raw proteins should be stored in an order that minimizes the risk of drippings contaminating other foods.

The correct answer places the fresh halibut above the fresh beef roast, which in turn is stored above the pepperoni and ground chicken. This is appropriate because fish should be stored above other meats to prevent cross-contamination, as fish can harbor bacteria that might transfer to red meat or processed meats like pepperoni. The fresh beef roast is placed underneath the halibut, aligning with the safe handling guidelines for raw meats.

Ground chicken, being a type of poultry, needs to be stored at the bottom of the cooler. Poultry is particularly susceptible to carrying harmful bacteria, so it should always be stored below all other types of foods to prevent contamination from the juices it may release. Therefore, recognizing that ready-to-eat items like pepperoni should be stored above raw meats helps ensure food safety, making the presented order the safest option.