Food Manager Practice Exam

At what temperature can yeasts be killed by heating food?

1. 120 degrees F

2. 136 degrees F

3. 150 degrees F

4. 165 degrees F

The correct answer is: 136 degrees F

Yeasts are a type of microorganism that can be sensitive to heat. The temperature at which yeasts begin to die is around 136 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, proteins in the yeast cells start to denature and cell structure is compromised, leading to cell death. This is particularly important in food safety and processing. Understanding the temperature thresholds for microbial destruction, including yeasts, helps in ensuring that food products are safe for consumption. The other temperatures listed are either too low, where yeasts could survive, or significantly higher, where they are certainly killed but do not represent the minimum effective temperature required for yeast destruction. This knowledge is crucial for food managers to ensure the safe preparation and storage of foods, especially those that rely on fermentation processes.