In top-bottom order, how should raw fresh pork roast, raw fish, whole salmon, a carton of lettuce, and a pan of raw fresh chicken breast be stored in a cooler?

The correct storage order prioritizes food safety by minimizing the risk of cross-contamination. When storing raw foods in a cooler, it's important to place the items in compartments according to their potential to drip and contaminate other foods.

Fresh pork roast and raw chicken are considered high-risk products because they can harbor harmful pathogens. Therefore, they should be stored lower in the cooler to prevent any juices from dripping onto foods that are ready to eat. Whole salmon and raw fish are also potentially hazardous but are typically considered less risky than poultry. Placing these above the raw pork ensures that drippings from the raw meats do not contaminate less risky items.

Lettuce, being a ready-to-eat food, should always be stored at the top of the cooler to prevent any risk of contamination from raw meats or fish dripping onto it.

Thus, the order of lettuce, salmon, pork roast, and chicken is optimal for safety: lettuce at the top, followed by the salmon to minimize risk, with pork roast and chicken below, as they have a higher risk of contamination. This arrangement protects the integrity of all foods stored while maintaining safe handling practices.