Texas Food Safety Managers Practice Test

What temperature should hot foods be held at to ensure safety?

1. Above 140°F.

2. Above 130°F.

3. Above 150°F.

4. Above 165°F.

The correct answer is: Above 140°F.

Hot foods should be held at a temperature above 140°F to ensure safety. This is critical because maintaining food at or above this temperature helps to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria that can lead to foodborne illnesses. The 140°F threshold is established based on the understanding that pathogens generally thrive in the temperature range known as the "danger zone" (between 40°F and 140°F). By keeping hot foods above this recommended temperature, food handlers can significantly reduce the risk of bacterial growth, ensuring the food remains safe for consumption. Other temperature options are lower than the established safety threshold. While those temperatures might be acceptable in certain contexts, they do not offer the same level of assurance against bacterial growth as the recommended holding temperature of 140°F or higher.