Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding food safety?

The statement that viruses can multiply every 20 minutes under ideal conditions is not accurate in the context of food safety. While bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli can multiply rapidly under favorable conditions, viruses do not multiply in food in the same way. Instead, viruses need a living host to reproduce and do not have the ability to grow or replicate within food items directly. Therefore, the concept of viruses multiplying in food at a specific rate is misleading.

In contrast, molds can indeed grow at temperatures below 41 F, which may lead to spoilage. The requirement for foods to be cooled to 41 F or less within a specified time frame is a critical safety measure to prevent bacterial growth. Listeria is also known to thrive in cold environments, including refrigeration temperatures below 41 F, which is why certain precautions must be taken with refrigerated foods. Each of these correct statements aligns with established food safety practices that limit the risk of foodborne illnesses.