Doneness Versus Safety

Kids popping into the kitchen or dashing by a barbecue grill ask impatiently, “Is it done yet?” Is “done” the same as “safe”? How does the cook know? Appearance and color are not reliable indicators of safety or doneness. Studies have shown that using a food thermometer is the only way to tell if harmful bacteria have been destroyed, yet only about 15% of people consistently use a food thermometer.