College

At what temperature range should meat be frozen?

A) 0 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit
B) 28 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit
C) 15 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit
D) 20 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit

Answer :

To determine the correct range for freezing meat based on the options provided, let's review the standard temperatures for freezing:

Freezing meat is crucial for preservation and should ideally happen at temperatures that prevent microbial growth and maintain meat quality. The commonly accepted standard for freezing is 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius) or below.

Let's examine each option:

A) 0 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit: This range starts at the optimal freezing temperature and goes up to a point slightly above where meat would begin to thaw. While 0°F is the correct lower bound for freezing, 20°F is too warm for effective long-term freezing as it might cause partial thawing.

B) 28 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit: This range is typically used for refrigeration, not freezing. It keeps items cold but doesn't freeze them, making it unsuitable for freezing meat.

C) 15 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit: These temperatures are colder than refrigeration but not consistently cold enough for proper freezing. At these temperatures, meat may freeze partially, but it's not ideal for long-term storage.

D) 20 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit: This range suggests a cooling to freezing process, but it still does not consistently meet the freezing requirement of 0°F.

Considering these evaluations, option A (0 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit) is the closest to the freezing standard because it includes 0°F, which is the necessary temperature for freezing meat properly. However, the upper range should ideally be lower than 20°F for it to be effectively frozen without thawing.

Therefore, the most appropriate interpretation within the given options is option A (0 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit), noting that the starting 0°F is suitable for freezing meat.