Which temperature is required for reheating leftovers?

The requirement for reheating leftovers to a certain temperature is established to ensure food safety, particularly to eliminate harmful bacteria that may have grown during storage. Reheating leftovers to a temperature of 165°F is critical because this temperature effectively destroys the majority of foodborne pathogens, making the food safe for consumption. This is particularly important in assisted living settings, where residents may be more vulnerable to foodborne illnesses due to age or underlying health conditions.

Food must reach this temperature quickly and uniformly throughout to ensure it is safe, so it is recommended to use a food thermometer to verify this. The other temperatures listed are higher than what is necessary and do not provide additional safety benefits; thus, they may lead to overcooking the food or altering its quality without enhancing safety.