California Nursing Home Administrator License Practice Exam

At what temperature must cold foods be maintained?

1. 0°

2. 35° or below

3. 41° or below

4. 135° or below

The correct answer is: 41° or below

Cold foods must be maintained at a temperature of 41° or below to ensure food safety and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. This standard is based on the science of food safety, which indicates that temperatures above this threshold can facilitate the rapid proliferation of pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses. Keeping cold foods at or below 41° helps to preserve their freshness and safety, which is particularly crucial in environments like nursing homes where vulnerable populations may be at increased risk for foodborne illnesses. This guideline aligns with the recommendations from food safety authorities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Other temperature options provided do not align with food safety standards for cold food storage. Maintaining cold foods at temperatures like 0° or 35° could be overly restrictive depending on the type of food, while 135° is a temperature that exceeds the safe range for cold storage, indicating hot holding temperatures instead. This makes maintaining cold foods at 41° or below the only appropriate and safe choice.