What role does cooking time and temperature play in the safety of high-protein foods like poultry and ground meat?

What role does cooking time and temperature play in the safety of high-protein foods like poultry and ground meat?

• A. Time and temperature have no impact on safety.
• B. Time alone determines safety; temperature is irrelevant.
• C. Proper internal temperatures ensure destruction of pathogens; undercooking increases infection risk; guidelines specify minimum safe temperatures.
• D. Only surface temperature matters; interior can be undercooked.

Answer: (C)