Question

During the lunch shift, a pizza shop holds hot pizza available for sale by the slice without temperature control. What is the maximum number of hours that the pizza can be held before being thrown away?

a) 2 hours
b) 4 hours
c) 6 hours
d) 8 hours

Answer 1

Perishable foods, including hot pizza slices, that are held without temperature control for more than two hours should be thrown away due to the risk of bacterial growth and contamination.

Step-by-step explanation:

Perishable foods that are left at a temperature between 4 and 60 degrees C (40 and 140 degrees F) for more than two hours should be thrown away. This includes hot pizza slices that have been held without temperature control during the lunch shift.

Bacteria multiply most rapidly between 4 and 60 degrees C, and the longer food stays within this temperature range, the greater the chance of bacterial growth and contamination. Therefore, it is not safe to consume hot pizza slices that have been held for more than two hours without temperature control, as they may become dangerous to eat due to rapid bacterial growth.

To ensure food safety, it is important to adhere to proper temperature control guidelines and refrigerate perishable foods promptly.