A food thermometer is not required in which of the following situations?

A food thermometer is not required during a trash run because this action does not involve cooking or preparing food that needs to be at a specific safe temperature. Trash runs typically consist of disposing of waste, and there are no food safety risks associated with this task that would necessitate the use of a thermometer.

In contrast, using a food thermometer is crucial when cooking meat to ensure it reaches a safe internal temperature to eliminate harmful pathogens. It is also important when storing food safely to determine if items are at proper refrigeration or heating temperatures, and when serving food, especially if it has been cooked in advance, to ensure it remains at safe temperatures for consumption.