Answer :
C. Storing raw chicken breasts at 42 degrees F would be considered temperature abuse.
Storing raw chicken at 42°F would be considered temperature abuse because it exceeds the recommended safe refrigeration temperature for raw poultry. The USDA recommends that raw chicken should be stored at or below 40°F to prevent bacterial growth, particularly harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter, which thrive between 40°F and 140°F, known as the "danger zone."
The other options are within safe temperature ranges:
- Thawing food under running water below 70°F is safe.
- Holding chili at 145°F is above the minimum temperature for hot holding, which is 135°F.
- Cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 155°F meets the safety guidelines for killing harmful bacteria like E. coli.
To determine which of the given conditions constitutes temperature abuse, we need to examine each scenario based on standard food safety guidelines:
1. Thawing foods in running water below 70 degrees F:
- This method of thawing is generally considered safe. Food safety guidelines indicate that it's acceptable to thaw foods in running water as long as the temperature of the water is kept below 70 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
2. Holding chili at 145 degrees F:
- According to food safety standards, hot foods should be held at a temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit or above to ensure they remain safe for consumption. Holding chili at 145 degrees Fahrenheit meets this requirement, so it is acceptable.
3. Storing raw chicken breasts at 42 degrees F:
- Raw poultry, such as chicken, should be stored at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below to prevent bacterial growth. Storing raw chicken breasts at 42 degrees Fahrenheit exceeds this safe storage threshold, making this condition unsafe and an example of temperature abuse.
4. Cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 155 degrees F:
- Food safety guidelines recommend cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 155 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that harmful bacteria are killed. Therefore, cooking ground beef to this temperature is considered safe and acceptable.
Based on this analysis, the condition that constitutes temperature abuse is:
Storing raw chicken breasts at 42 degrees F.
1. Thawing foods in running water below 70 degrees F:
- This method of thawing is generally considered safe. Food safety guidelines indicate that it's acceptable to thaw foods in running water as long as the temperature of the water is kept below 70 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
2. Holding chili at 145 degrees F:
- According to food safety standards, hot foods should be held at a temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit or above to ensure they remain safe for consumption. Holding chili at 145 degrees Fahrenheit meets this requirement, so it is acceptable.
3. Storing raw chicken breasts at 42 degrees F:
- Raw poultry, such as chicken, should be stored at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below to prevent bacterial growth. Storing raw chicken breasts at 42 degrees Fahrenheit exceeds this safe storage threshold, making this condition unsafe and an example of temperature abuse.
4. Cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 155 degrees F:
- Food safety guidelines recommend cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 155 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that harmful bacteria are killed. Therefore, cooking ground beef to this temperature is considered safe and acceptable.
Based on this analysis, the condition that constitutes temperature abuse is:
Storing raw chicken breasts at 42 degrees F.
