What does thorough cooking do to bacteria?

• A. It has no effect on bacteria.
• B. It reduces, but does not eliminate, bacteria.
• C. It cooks the food to a safe temperature throughout, killing harmful bacteria.
• D. It only makes food taste better.

Answer: (C)

Thorough cooking makes heat reach every part of the food to a high enough temperature for a long enough time to kill harmful bacteria. When food is heated evenly, the heat denatures bacterial proteins and disrupts cells, so pathogens are killed rather than just slowed. If any area stays cooler, some bacteria can survive and cause illness, which is why even cooking all the way through is essential. This is why the best answer describes cooking as heating to a safe temperature throughout and thereby eliminating harmful bacteria. Options that say it does nothing, just reduces bacteria, or only improves taste don’t address the safety aspect, since the goal is to kill pathogens, not merely alter flavor or reduce numbers.