What is an effective method to ensure food is cooked safely?

Cooking food to a minimum internal temperature is crucial for ensuring food safety. This practice is established based on scientific research that correlates specific temperatures to the effective destruction of harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause foodborne illnesses. Different types of food require different minimum internal temperatures to be considered safe; for example, poultry should be cooked to at least 165°F, while ground meats should reach at least 160°F.

By cooking food to these established temperatures, you minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensure the food is safe to eat. This method is based on guidelines provided by food safety authorities and is a reliable way to verify that food has been cooked adequately, rather than relying solely on visual cues like appearance or texture, which can be misleading.