What practice helps ensure that food is cooked to a safe temperature?

Using a food thermometer is crucial for ensuring that food is cooked to a safe temperature because it provides an accurate measurement of the internal temperature of the food. Cooking food to the appropriate temperature is essential for killing harmful bacteria and pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses. The thermometer allows for precise monitoring, ensuring that food reaches the minimum safe temperature for proper food safety.

Other methods, such as visually inspecting the food's color, do not guarantee that the internal temperature is adequate for safe consumption. Changes in color can occur without the food being fully cooked, particularly in meats. Checking the weight of the food is not relevant to determining whether it's safe to eat, as weight does not correlate with temperature or doneness. Tasting the food periodically, while an enjoyable practice for some, is not a reliable method to assess food safety since tasting can put individuals at risk of consuming undercooked food. Therefore, a food thermometer remains the best practice for ensuring safety.