What is the primary method for ensuring safe food temperature?

Using a food thermometer is the primary method for ensuring safe food temperature because it provides an accurate and reliable measurement of the internal temperatures of food. This is crucial in preventing foodborne illnesses that can occur when food is not cooked to the proper temperature. A food thermometer can help you determine whether foods have reached the safe minimum internal temperature required to kill harmful bacteria that may cause sickness.

Estimating by touch or checking color changes are imprecise methods that can lead to inaccurate conclusions about the safety of food. These methods do not account for the potential for hot spots or cold spots within the food, meaning that while the exterior may appear cooked, the interior may not have reached a temperature sufficient to ensure safety. Relying solely on cooking time can also be misleading, as different food items may require different cooking times based on their size, shape, and starting temperature. Thus, the best practice for ensuring that food is cooked safely is to use a food thermometer to obtain an accurate measurement of internal temperatures.