To determine which food must be cooked to at least 165°F (74°C), let's evaluate each option based on common food safety guidelines:
a. White rice: Typically, white rice is cooked by boiling until it is soft and fluffy. The specific internal temperature is not a concern as long as the water used for cooking is boiling (212°F or 100°C). However, there are no safety guidelines stating that white rice must reach 165°F (74°C).
b. Cheese pizza: Cheese pizza should be cooked until the cheese is melted and the crust is baked through. While the surface temperature can be quite high to ensure proper baking and melting, safety guidelines do not specifically require the pizza itself to reach 165°F (74°C).
c. Chicken breast: Chicken breast, like other poultry, must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is safe to eat and to kill harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter.
d. Hamburger patty: Hamburger patties made from ground beef should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to ensure they are safe to eat and to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli.
Based on these evaluations, the food that must be cooked to at least 165°F (74°C) is:
c. Chicken breast
Therefore, the correct answer is c. Chicken breast.
