Which food item must reach 165°F for safety?

Poultry must reach an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure that it is safe for consumption. This temperature is critical because it is the point at which harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, typically found in poultry, are effectively killed. Cooking poultry to this temperature helps prevent foodborne illnesses, which can result from consuming undercooked or improperly handled poultry products.

While other food items like pork, fish, and ground beef have their own safe cooking temperatures, they do not require reaching as high a temperature as poultry for safety. Pork is considered safe at 145°F, fish at 145°F, and ground beef should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 160°F. Thus, the requirement of 165°F for poultry specifically highlights the importance of proper cooking temperatures in preventing foodborne illnesses.