What is the best method to verify that food has reached the correct cooking temperature?

Using a calibrated food thermometer is the best method to verify that food has reached the correct cooking temperature because it provides an accurate and reliable measurement of the internal temperature of the food. This method eliminates any uncertainty that can come from visual inspections or subjective evaluations, ensuring that food is cooked to a safe temperature to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.

Visual inspection may lead to incorrect assumptions about doneness, as certain foods can appear fully cooked on the outside while remaining undercooked inside. Checking the color of the food can also be misleading since some foods may retain their color while still being unsafe to consume. Estimating based on preparation time does not account for variables such as the size of the food, the efficiency of the cooking method, or the temperature of the cooking environment, all of which can affect whether the food has reached a safe temperature. Therefore, utilizing a calibrated food thermometer is essential for ensuring food safety.