Final answer:
If food in storage enters the temperature danger zone for 16 hours due to a power outage, it must be discarded due to the risk of bacterial growth. It is important to prevent the consumption of potentially dangerous food.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a power outage impacts an operation and causes food in storage to enter the temperature danger zone for 16 hours, the food must be discarded for safety reasons. According to the USDA, perishable foods that remain between 4 and 60 degrees Celsius (40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than two hours may become dangerous to eat due to rapid bacterial growth. Bacteria generally multiply most rapidly at temperatures between about 4 and 60 degrees Celsius (40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit). Therefore, to prevent the risk of foodborne illness, it is essential to safely discard the food that has been in the temperature danger zone for an extended period of time.