What is the acceptable temperature accuracy range for food measurements?

The acceptable temperature accuracy range for food measurements is important to ensure food safety and proper cooking standards. The correctness of this range, which is plus or minus 2°F or minus 1°C, allows for slight variations in temperature readings that may occur due to various factors such as calibration of the thermometer or environmental influences.

Maintaining this standard ensures that the temperatures are within a safe range, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses by ensuring that foods are stored and cooked at safe temperatures. This range is commonly accepted in food safety guidelines and helps food handlers ensure that they are effectively monitoring temperatures during food preparation and storage.

Other options reflect less precise measurements which could compromise food safety. A greater allowance, such as plus or minus 3°F or a larger deviation in Celsius, would not provide the same level of assurance and could lead to unsafe food handling practices. Therefore, the accuracy range of plus or minus 2°F or minus 1°C is the most appropriate standard for reliable food measurement.