What defines time-temperature abuse?

• A. Time-temperature abuse occurs when food spends too long in the danger zone.
• B. Holding hot foods above 135 F
• C. Rapid cooling
• D. Thawing under running water

Answer: (A)

Time-temperature abuse happens when food is allowed to sit too long in the temperature danger zone, where bacteria multiply rapidly. The danger zone is roughly 41°F to 135°F (5°C to 57°C). The longer food stays in that range, the greater the risk of foodborne illness. So the correct choice defines abuse as food spending too much time in that unsafe range. The other practices—holding hot food above 135°F, rapid cooling, and thawing under running water—are methods used to prevent abuse by keeping food out of or moving it quickly through the danger zone.