What type of food should always be cooked to safe temperatures?

Raw meat and poultry should always be cooked to safe temperatures to eliminate harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses. Cooking these foods thoroughly ensures that pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli are killed, making the food safe for consumption.

Ready-to-eat vegetables, cooked rice and pasta, and baked goods do not require cooking to the same extent or at all, as they are typically considered safe to eat without further cooking. While it's important to handle all foods safely to avoid cross-contamination, the primary concern with raw meat and poultry is their potential to harbor dangerous pathogens that cooking effectively destroys.