Which of the following foods is at a temperature that allows bacteria to grow well?

• A. Frozen vegetables stored at -18^ext{o}C
• B. Milk refrigerated at 4^ext{o}C
• C. Soup kept boiling at 100^ext{o}C
• D. Cooked chicken left at 25^ext{o}C for 3 hours

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of the 'danger zone' in microbiology, which refers to the temperature range where bacteria grow most rapidly. This range is typically between 5\^\{\circ\}C and 60\^\{\circ\}C.
2. Analyze each food temperature given in the problem and determine if it falls within the danger zone: frozen vegetables at -18\^\{\circ\}C (below danger zone), milk at 4\^\{\circ\}C (just below danger zone), soup at 100\^\{\circ\}C (above danger zone), and cooked chicken at 25\^\{\circ\}C (within danger zone).
3. Recall that bacteria grow well in warm, moist environments, especially within the danger zone, so foods kept at temperatures within this range for extended periods are more likely to support bacterial growth.
4. Consider the time factor: cooked chicken left at 25\^\{\circ\}C for 3 hours provides both the right temperature and sufficient time for bacteria to multiply significantly.
5. Conclude that among the options, the cooked chicken at 25\^\{\circ\}C for 3 hours is at a temperature that allows bacteria to grow well, making it the correct answer.