What is the cooking requirement for food on menus for children?

The requirement for cooking food on menus for children emphasizes the importance of ensuring that meals are cooked well-done. This is crucial in minimizing the risk of foodborne illnesses, which can have more severe consequences for children. Children's immune systems are still developing, making them more vulnerable to harmful bacteria and pathogens that can be present in undercooked meats.

Cooking food thoroughly helps to eliminate any harmful microorganisms that could lead to food poisoning. Well-done cooking also means that the internal temperature of meats reaches a safe level that is typically above 160°F (71°C) for ground meats and other specific temperatures for different types of meat.

While options indicating rarer cooking methods may be appealing for adults, they do not meet safety guidelines for children’s meals, as these methods may leave harmful bacteria alive. The choice of well-done cooking aligns with health standards and best practices for food safety, particularly in populations that are more susceptible to foodborne illnesses.