Final answer:
The correct temperatures for holding perishable foods to prevent bacterial growth are below 40°F or above 140°F, which makes option b) the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Perishable foods are at risk of rapid bacterial growth if they are not kept at the proper temperatures. According to safety guidelines, perishable foods should be stored at temperatures that either inhibit or limit bacterial growth. Bacteria generally multiply most rapidly at temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit (4 and 60 degrees Celsius), which is known as the 'danger zone' for microbial growth.
To maintain food safety, perishable foods should be held either below 40°F or above 140°F. This keeps them out of the temperature range where bacteria can quickly multiply and potentially cause foodborne illness.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is b) 40°F, 140°F.