Question

What must you do with Time and Temperature Controlled for Safety (TCS) Foods that are left out at room temperature for more than four hours?

a) Discard them
b) Reheat them to a safe temperature
c) Cool them rapidly
d) Transfer them to the refrigerator

Answer 1

TCS Foods left out at room temperature for over four hours must be discarded due to the risk of bacteria multiplying to unsafe levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

Time and Temperature Controlled for Safety (TCS) Foods that have been left out at room temperature for more than four hours must be discarded. Bacteria can multiply rapidly at temperatures between 4 and 60 degrees C (40 and 140 degrees F), and foods left in this temperature danger zone for extended periods can lead to foodborne illnesses. It is not safe to reheat, cool rapidly, or transfer to the refrigerator for later consumption since these actions do not ensure the elimination of bacteria that may have already multiplied to unsafe levels.