Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS) Practice Exam

Is it appropriate to use infrared laser thermometers for checking the internal temperature of a cooked hamburger patty?

1. True

2. False

3. Only if the laser is calibrated

4. Only for raw hamburger patties

The correct answer is: False

Using infrared laser thermometers to check the internal temperature of a cooked hamburger patty is not appropriate because these devices measure surface temperature rather than the temperature inside the food. Accurately assessing the internal temperature is crucial for food safety, particularly with ground meats like hamburger patties, which need to reach a specific internal temperature to ensure that harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella are effectively killed. The measurement taken from the surface may not reflect the temperature at the core of the patty, leading to a false sense of food safety. Without confirming the internal temperature of the food, there's a risk of undercooking, which could result in foodborne illnesses. In contrast, options that may imply conditions for using infrared thermometers or suggesting they could be used for raw products do not recognize the fundamental requirement for internal temperature verification. The safest approach is to use a probe thermometer, which can accurately measure the internal temperature of the meat.