What is the total time allowed to cool from 135°F to 41°F in the mashed potatoes scenario?

What is the total time allowed to cool from 135°F to 41°F in the mashed potatoes scenario?

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

Answer: (A)

Cooling hot foods safely follows a two-step time-and-temperature rule: reach 70°F within two hours from 135°F, then continue cooling to 41°F within the next four hours. That means going from 135°F to 41°F takes a total of six hours. In the mashed potatoes scenario, six hours is the total allowed time. Four hours would not reach 41°F yet, two hours would only bring it down to 70°F, and eight hours would exceed the safe limit for cooling.

Cooling hot foods safely follows a two-step time-and-temperature rule: reach 70°F within two hours from 135°F, then continue cooling to 41°F within the next four hours. That means going from 135°F to 41°F takes a total of six hours. In the mashed potatoes scenario, six hours is the total allowed time. Four hours would not reach 41°F yet, two hours would only bring it down to 70°F, and eight hours would exceed the safe limit for cooling.