Question

To maintain quality and freshness of refrigerated produce, upon receiving these items, they should be placed directly into cold storage and held at temperatures between

A. 55 and 60*F
B. 41 and 48*F
C. 34 and 36*F
D. 30 and 35*F

Answer 1

Refrigerated produce should be stored at temperatures between 34 and 36°F to inhibit bacterial growth and maintain freshness. The refrigerator should be at or below 4°C (40°F) for food safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

To maintain quality and freshness of refrigerated produce, upon receiving these items, they should be placed directly into cold storage and held at temperatures between 34 and 36°F (option C). This temperature range is ideal for inhibiting bacterial growth in refrigerated foods without freezing the produce. Foods are kept safe in the refrigerator when the temperature is at or below 4°C (40°F), which slows the metabolism of microorganisms significantly. Furthermore, if perishable foods are kept at a temperature between 4 and 60 degrees C (40 and 140 degrees F) for more than two hours, they should be discarded due to rapid bacterial growth.