Final answer:
Foods that should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F include whole cuts of meat like beef, pork, veal, lamb, and all seafood, to kill potential bacteria and ensure safe consumption.
Step-by-step explanation:
Foods that should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F include whole cuts of meat such as beef, pork, veal, and lamb. Additionally, seafood also requires cooking to this temperature to ensure it is safe for consumption. According to food safety guidelines, this temperature is suggested to kill bacteria and pathogens that can cause foodborne illness.
Using a meat thermometer is an essential practice for checking the internal temperature of these foods to prevent foodborne diseases caused by bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. To avoid foodborne diseases and ensure safety, it is critical that these foods reach the safe internal temperature of 145°F.
Cooking temperatures for other types of foods like poultry and ground meat are higher, at least 165°F and 160°F respectively, to ensure harmful organisms are killed.