What type of violation would improper thawing be classified as?

Improper thawing is classified as a medium violation because it directly impacts food safety and can lead to foodborne illnesses. When food, especially proteins like meat, is not thawed properly, it can spend too much time in the temperature danger zone (between 40°F and 140°F), which allows harmful bacteria to grow.

While improper thawing is serious and can pose health risks, it is slightly less critical than high violations, which usually involve behaviors or practices that can cause immediate and severe contamination risks. For instance, high violations might include practices such as cross-contamination or failing to cook food to the proper temperature. Understanding the nuances of how different violations are ranked helps staff prioritize their food safety practices effectively.

In contrast, low violations generally refer to less serious concerns that do not directly impact food safety, such as minor non-compliance with documentation or cleanliness that do not lead to immediate food safety risks. Unclassified violations typically do not apply as there are well-defined categories for health and safety breaches in most establishments.