According to food safety guidelines, food must be thrown out after remaining in the temperature danger zone for how long?

• A. 1 hour
• B. 24 hours
• C. 4 hours
• D. 8 hours

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of the 'temperature danger zone' in food safety, which is the range of temperatures where bacteria can grow rapidly, typically between 5°C and 60°C (41°F and 140°F).
2. Recognize that food safety guidelines specify a maximum time that food can safely remain in this temperature range before it becomes unsafe to consume due to bacterial growth.
3. Recall that the commonly accepted maximum time food can stay in the danger zone is 4 hours, after which the risk of foodborne illness increases significantly.
4. Note that this 4-hour limit is cumulative, meaning the total time food spends in the danger zone adds up even if it is moved in and out of this temperature range.
5. Conclude that according to food safety guidelines, food must be discarded if it has been in the temperature danger zone for more than 4 hours to prevent foodborne illness.