Final answer:
Food must maintain the correct internal cooking temperature for 15 seconds to be considered safe for serving. Temperature control is essential for preventing bacterial growth and foodborne illnesses, and using a thermometer is the best method to confirm that the appropriate temperature has been reached.
Step-by-step explanation:
To ensure that food is safe to consume, it must maintain the proper internal cooking temperature for a specific period. The correct answer is a) 15 seconds.
Proper temperature control is crucial in preventing the rapid multiplication of bacteria which typically occurs between 4 and 60 degrees C (40 and 140 degrees F). Foods that remain in this temperature range for more than two hours can become unsafe due to bacterial growth, making it necessary to swiftly reach and maintain a suitable temperature to stifle potential pathogens.
Furthermore, foods meant to be served hot should retain their heat until service. Confirming foods reach a safe internal temperature using a food thermometer is a reliable way to ensure foodborne illness is prevented. Always remember that certain bacteria, like those causing botulism, require higher temperatures to be effectively killed, and leftover foods should be refrigerated soon after serving to inhibit bacterial growth.