Food Safety Certification Practice Test

What temperature range do food thermometers need to measure to ensure food safety?

1. -20°F to 200°F

2. 0°F to 220°F

3. 32°F to 212°F

4. 50°F to 150°F

The correct answer is: 0°F to 220°F

Food thermometers are essential tools for ensuring food safety, as they help measure the internal temperature of food, preventing the risks of foodborne illnesses. The correct temperature range that food thermometers should measure is crucial for various types of food preparation and storage. The answer provided indicates a range of 0°F to 220°F, which is effective for a variety of food temperatures, including these critical points: freezing, refrigeration, cooking, and serving temperatures. This range allows for monitoring both cold and hot foods, ensuring that they are kept out of the danger zone, which generally lies between 40°F and 140°F. This is where bacteria can grow rapidly. In contrast, other options do not cover the necessary temperature ranges for food safety effectively. For example, a range that starts at -20°F does not account for the critical temperatures at which food should be cooked or held safely. Similarly, ranges that extend only to 150°F or 212°F may miss key cooking temperatures for meats and other foods where higher internal temperatures are necessary to kill harmful pathogens. Therefore, the selected range is comprehensive enough to encompass all important food safety guidelines.