AAA Food Manager Certification Practice Test

How long should chicken and turkey be cooked at the required temperature to ensure safety?

1. 5 seconds

2. 10 seconds

3. 15 seconds

4. 20 seconds

The correct answer is: 15 seconds

The recommended practice for ensuring the safety of chicken and turkey centers on the specific cooking temperature and duration necessary to eliminate harmful pathogens such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, which are commonly associated with poultry. Cooking these types of meat to a minimum temperature of 165°F (73.9°C) is crucial. To guarantee safety, it is important to maintain this temperature for a sufficient amount of time. The answer reflects the guideline that cooking chicken and turkey to this temperature for at least 15 seconds is necessary to effectively kill the harmful bacteria. This short, yet critical cooking time helps to confirm that the meat is safe to consume, as pathogens can rapidly die off when exposed to high temperatures. The other durations, while they may seem appealing, do not meet the established safety standards for poultry. Taking into account the importance of following established food safety guidelines can help prevent foodborne illnesses related to undercooked poultry.