How long can a large container of potato salad be safely held without temperature control if it does not exceed 70°F (21°C)?

How long can a large container of potato salad be safely held without temperature control if it does not exceed 70°F (21°C)?

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

Answer: (B)

The main idea is how long cold, ready-to-eat foods can sit out without temperature control while staying safe. Potato salad is a time-temperature control for safety (TCS) food, and when cold TCS foods are held without temperature control, they can be kept for up to six hours as long as the temperature stays at 70°F (21°C) or below during that period. At 70°F or below, bacterial growth is slowed enough to allow this extended window. If the temperature rises above 70°F at any point, discard should occur after the four-hour mark from when temperature control was lost. Since the scenario specifies the temperature does not exceed 70°F, six hours is the appropriate safe hold time.

The main idea is how long cold, ready-to-eat foods can sit out without temperature control while staying safe. Potato salad is a time-temperature control for safety (TCS) food, and when cold TCS foods are held without temperature control, they can be kept for up to six hours as long as the temperature stays at 70°F (21°C) or below during that period. At 70°F or below, bacterial growth is slowed enough to allow this extended window. If the temperature rises above 70°F at any point, discard should occur after the four-hour mark from when temperature control was lost. Since the scenario specifies the temperature does not exceed 70°F, six hours is the appropriate safe hold time.