A pan of mashed potatoes was cooled from 135°F to 68°F in two hours. How much more time is required to reach 41°F?

A pan of mashed potatoes was cooled from 135°F to 68°F in two hours. How much more time is required to reach 41°F?

• A. Two hours
• B. Four hours
• C. Six hours
• D. Eight hours

Answer: (B)

The main concept here is the six-hour cooling rule used in food safety: hazardous foods should be cooled from 135°F to 41°F within six hours, and they should reach 70°F (or below) within the first two hours. In this scenario, the mash reached 68°F in two hours, which already satisfies the first milestone of cooling to 70°F or below. That means you have the remaining four hours to continue cooling down to 41°F. So, four more hours are needed. This rule is about ensuring rapid cooling to safe temperatures, not about calculating the exact rate of heat loss.

The main concept here is the six-hour cooling rule used in food safety: hazardous foods should be cooled from 135°F to 41°F within six hours, and they should reach 70°F (or below) within the first two hours. In this scenario, the mash reached 68°F in two hours, which already satisfies the first milestone of cooling to 70°F or below. That means you have the remaining four hours to continue cooling down to 41°F. So, four more hours are needed. This rule is about ensuring rapid cooling to safe temperatures, not about calculating the exact rate of heat loss.