What is the only effective method for reducing the amount of germs in food to safe levels?

Cooking foods is the only effective method for significantly reducing the amount of germs and pathogens to safe levels. When food is cooked to the appropriate internal temperature, it can kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that may be present. This process is essential for ensuring that food is safe to eat, as many foodborne illnesses result from consuming undercooked or contaminated food.

While washing food can help remove some surface dirt and bacteria, it does not effectively eliminate pathogens that may be present within or on the surface of the food, especially in cases where bacterial contamination is substantial. Refrigeration and freezing can slow the growth of bacteria but do not kill them. Therefore, these methods rely on keeping food safe until it can be properly cooked rather than reducing germ levels to safe thresholds on their own. Cooking remains the most reliable method for ensuring that food is safe for consumption.