Question

In two-stage cooling, total cooling time cannot be more than _____ hours.

A) 12 hours
B) 24 hours
C) 36 hours
D) 48 hours

Answer 1

Two-stage cooling must be conducted within 6 hours according to food safety guidelines to prevent bacterial growth; the options provided do not match this guideline.

Step-by-step explanation:

In two-stage cooling, which is a safety practice to prevent foodborne illnesses by reducing the likelihood of bacterial growth, the total cooling time must not exceed a specific number of hours. According to food safety guidelines, foods must be cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and then from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit or lower within four more hours. This means that the total cooling time cannot be more than 6 hours to ensure safety. However, the options provided do not include this answer. If the options given are exhaustive, then without an appropriate option, it would not be feasible to provide an accurate response based on the question as it stands, and more context or clarification might be needed.