How often should food temperature be checked during cooking?

The correct approach to checking food temperature during cooking is to monitor it regularly throughout the cooking process. This practice ensures that the food is being cooked evenly and reaching the appropriate internal temperatures necessary for safety. Regular checks allow for adjustments to cooking times or temperatures if necessary, preventing undercooking—a critical factor in food safety, particularly for meats and poultry, which can harbor harmful bacteria if not cooked properly.

By checking the temperature at different points, you can be certain that food not only reaches its required cooking temperature but also maintains that temperature for a sufficient period to ensure that any pathogens are eliminated. This strategy is particularly important for foods that may have varying thicknesses or for larger cuts that may require more time to ensure safe internal temperatures.

In contrast, the other options suggest less frequent monitoring, which could lead to unsafe cooking practices. Checking only at the beginning and end of the cooking process does not provide a reliable assurance that food is cooked to the proper safety standards throughout its preparation.