Final answer:
Cooking TCS food in the microwave is safe and recommended if you ensure the food reaches the USDA-recommended safe internal temperatures using a food thermometer. Avoid non-microwave-safe containers to prevent contamination. Option a is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cooking TCS food (meat, seafood, poultry, eggs) in the microwave is safe and recommended as long as you follow the right safety measures to ensure that the food reaches a high enough temperature to kill any harmful bacteria it may contain. To be on the safe side, it is always best to use a food thermometer to check that your food has reached the safe internal temperatures as recommended by guidelines.
For instance, the USDA specifies that different foods require different internal temperatures to be considered safe for consumption. It is important to avoid using containers that are not microwave-safe, such as polycarbonate plastic food containers, as they could break down and potentially contaminate your food.
Moreover, when thawing frozen foods in the microwave, it's important to cook them immediately after thawing to prevent bacterial growth from restarting. Microwaving is also efficient and can evenly cook your food when the food is arranged properly and occasionally stirred or flipped.
Nevertheless, one must be cautious not to use containers that are not intended for microwave use, like yogurt containers, margarine tubs, or any container marked with a microwaveable disposable Tm below the standard cooking temperatures.