Raw animal foods must be separated in all situations except when?

In the context of food safety, the primary principle is that raw animal foods should be handled in a way that prevents cross-contamination to avoid foodborne illnesses. The correct answer indicates that raw animal foods can be combined as ingredients, which is an acceptable practice provided that the food is going to be cooked afterward. This momentary mixing of raw ingredients is typically done in preparation for a dish that will undergo thorough cooking, which effectively eliminates harmful pathogens that may be present in the raw foods.

This approach is significant because the cooking process serves as a critical control point for food safety, ensuring that temperatures reach levels sufficient to kill harmful bacteria. When raw animal foods are combined for cooking, the risk of cross-contamination is mitigated by the heat applied during cooking, which transforms the food into a safe-to-eat product.

The other scenarios—storing, cooking, or displaying raw animal foods—require maintaining separation to avoid contaminating other ready-to-eat foods or surfaces. Therefore, the correct understanding of the cooking context is crucial for anyone involved in food handling and preparation, emphasizing the importance of cooking as a safety measure rather than as a risk.