How long can perishable foods sit on the counter? a. 30 minutes b. 1 hour c. 2 hours d. 3 hours

c. 2 hours

Explanation:

Perishable foods are those that begin their decomposition simply and very quickly. The more water a food has, the faster it will rot, and the reverse is also true: the less water, the longer it will take for the food to become damaged. This is because foods with less water reduce water activity within cells and slow the growth of bacteria. Microorganisms get most of the nutrients from the water present, which is a requirement for their growth. Perishable foods are those that have more water and do not last more than a week under refrigeration, such as vegetables, milk and dairy products, red meat and dairy products, chicken, fruits, fish, seafood and eggs.

These foods should be on the counter for a maximum of two hours, after which time they should be refrigerated immediately.