Which of the following represents the four steps in the Fight BAC! campaign?

• A. Wash, Separate, Boil, Cool
• B. Cook, Chill, Clean, Separate
• C. Chill, Clean, Cook, Separate
• D. Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill

Answer: (D)

Fight BAC! emphasizes four actions in a practical sequence to reduce foodborne illness: Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill. Start by cleaning hands, utensils, and surfaces to reduce the germs present. Then separate raw foods from ready-to-eat items to prevent cross-contamination. Next, cook foods to safe internal temperatures to kill any pathogens that may be present. Finally, chill leftovers promptly to slow the growth of any bacteria that might remain. This order matters because cleaning lowers the initial contamination, separation stops transfer between foods, cooking eliminates pathogens, and chilling reduces bacterial growth after cooking. Other sequences would place chilling or cross-contamination risks too early or too late, making the plan less effective.