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What is the minimum internal cooking temperature for ground beef?

  1. 120 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 seconds

  2. 140 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes

  3. 155 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds

  4. 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 seconds

The correct answer is: 155 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds

The minimum internal cooking temperature for ground beef is 155 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds. This temperature is established to effectively kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella that can be present in ground beef. Properly cooking ground beef to this temperature ensures that it is safe to eat, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses. The other temperature options are not sufficient to ensure the safety of ground beef. Cooking at lower temperatures may not effectively eliminate pathogens that can cause serious health risks. The guidelines set by food safety agencies are designed to provide specific temperature and time combinations that have been proven effective in ensuring food safety. Thus, the correct choice supports these safe food handling practices.