What is the recommended temperature range for cooking poultry?

What is the recommended temperature range for cooking poultry?

• A. 145°F (63°C)
• B. 160°F (71°C)
• C. 165°F (74°C)
• D. 180°F (82°C)

Answer: (C)

The recommended temperature for cooking poultry is 165°F (74°C), as this temperature is essential to ensure that any harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, are effectively destroyed. Cooking poultry to this temperature ensures that it is safe to eat, as it kills pathogens that can pose a risk to health. At 165°F, not only is the meat made safe, but it also helps maintain moisture and tenderness while cooking a variety of poultry dishes. Poultry, including chicken and turkey, can have variations in thickness and size; thus achieving this temperature is crucial in ensuring even cooking throughout the entire piece. Other temperature options, while they may be safe for certain types of meat or specific applications, do not provide the same level of safety for poultry. For instance, cooking poultry at 145°F (63°C) would not be sufficient to eliminate the pathogens present. Similarly, while cooking to higher temperatures like 180°F (82°C) is often sufficient, it can lead to dried-out meat when compared with the optimal cooking temperature. Therefore, 165°F is established as the key temperature for safely cooking poultry.

The recommended temperature for cooking poultry is 165°F (74°C), as this temperature is essential to ensure that any harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, are effectively destroyed. Cooking poultry to this temperature ensures that it is safe to eat, as it kills pathogens that can pose a risk to health.

At 165°F, not only is the meat made safe, but it also helps maintain moisture and tenderness while cooking a variety of poultry dishes. Poultry, including chicken and turkey, can have variations in thickness and size; thus achieving this temperature is crucial in ensuring even cooking throughout the entire piece.

Other temperature options, while they may be safe for certain types of meat or specific applications, do not provide the same level of safety for poultry. For instance, cooking poultry at 145°F (63°C) would not be sufficient to eliminate the pathogens present. Similarly, while cooking to higher temperatures like 180°F (82°C) is often sufficient, it can lead to dried-out meat when compared with the optimal cooking temperature. Therefore, 165°F is established as the key temperature for safely cooking poultry.