What is TCS food?

TCS food, or Time/Temperature Control for Safety food, refers to items that support the rapid growth of bacteria when they are not kept at appropriate temperatures. These foods require careful handling and storage to prevent bacterial growth, which can lead to foodborne illness. Common examples of TCS foods include dairy products, meat, fish, cooked rice, and cut fruits and vegetables.

Understanding TCS food is essential in food safety practices, as proper monitoring of time and temperature is crucial in keeping these foods safe for consumption. The other options do not adequately define TCS foods: preserving food at room temperature, food not meant for human consumption, or food high in preservatives do not inherently indicate the safety risk that comes from improper handling of TCS foods.