When considering food safety regulations, the temperature at which cold foods can be safely held is critical, especially for items like boiled eggs that are served on salad bars. According to food safety guidelines, the maximum temperature allowed for cold holding foods is a key factor in preventing the growth of harmful bacteria.
To determine the correct maximum temperature for holding boiled eggs at a salad bar, let's look at the given options:
a. [tex]\(32^{\circ} F \left(0^{\circ} C \right)\)[/tex]
b. [tex]\(38^{\circ} F \left(3^{\circ} C \right)\)[/tex]
c. [tex]\(41^{\circ} F \left(5^{\circ} C \right)\)[/tex]
d. [tex]\(45^{\circ} F \left(7^{\circ} C \right)\)[/tex]
The correct answer from the options provided, based on food safety standards, is:
c. [tex]\(41^{\circ} F \left(5^{\circ} C \right)\)[/tex]
This temperature ensures that the boiled eggs on the salad bar are kept sufficiently cold to minimize the risk of bacterial growth, helping maintain safe food handling practices.