Cold food can be held without refrigeration for a maximum of how many hours before being thrown out?

• A. 4 hours
• B. 6 hours
• C. 8 hours
• D. 12 hours

Answer: (B)

Keeping cold foods out of refrigeration still has a safe time limit. If a cold item is held at 41°F (5°C) or below during service, it can be kept without refrigeration for up to six hours. After six hours, it should be discarded because the risk of harmful bacterial growth increases, even if the food still looks or smells fine. The six-hour window assumes the food started cold and remained cold; if its temperature rises above 41°F at any point, it isn’t within the safe holding period and should be discarded sooner. Use a thermometer to monitor temperature and keep items on ice or in a fridge to maintain that safe cold temperature.