Which practice is essential for maintaining safe food temperatures?

Using food thermometers is essential for maintaining safe food temperatures because they provide accurate measurements of the internal temperature of food items. This is crucial for ensuring that food is cooked, held, and stored at temperatures that inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.

Monitoring internal temperatures allows food handlers to verify that food has reached the safe minimum cooking temperature, which is vital for destroying pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses. Additionally, when foods are held in hot or cold storage, thermometers ensure that they remain within the safe temperature ranges to prevent bacterial growth.

While the other practices such as regular cleaning, employing food preservatives, and frequent food rotation contribute to overall food safety and quality, they do not specifically address the need to monitor and control food temperatures directly, which is a key component of HACCP principles.