What is the safest way to check if food is cooked to the right temperature?

Using a food thermometer is the safest way to ensure that food has reached the appropriate cooking temperature. This method provides an accurate measurement of the internal temperature, helping to confirm that harmful bacteria have been killed and that the food is safe to eat. Different foods have different recommended safe cooking temperatures, and utilizing a thermometer takes the guesswork out of the process, minimizing the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Other methods, such as visual cues, feeling the food with hands, or tasting it, can be unreliable. Visual cues can lead to misinterpretations, as some foods may appear fully cooked on the outside while remaining undercooked inside. Feeling food with hands can also be misleading and may pose a burn risk. Tasting food to check doneness is not a safe method, as it could expose a person to the risk of consuming harmful bacteria if the food has not reached a safe temperature. Therefore, investing in a food thermometer is a practical and responsible approach to food safety.