Why 165°F? The Shocking Truth About Safe Chicken Temperatures!

Mon, 04 May 2026 11:19:04 +0000

Why 165°F? The Shocking Truth About Safe Chicken Temperatures When it comes to food safety, few topics spark as much confusion as the safe cooking temperature for chicken. Most people rely on meat thermometers, but blocked readings or inconsistent cooking have left many asking: Why 165°F? Is this really the standard, or is there more to the story? The answer may shock you—165°F isn’t just an arbitrary number. It’s the precise threshold set by health authorities to eliminate harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter, two of the most common pathogens linked to chicken poisoning. This temperature isn’t arbitrary; it’s the result of rigorous scientific research and food safety studies that balance health risks with food quality. ### The Science Behind 165°F: Why It Kills Bacteria