What is the maximum time food can be left out at room temperature during service?

The maximum time food can be left out at room temperature during service is four hours. This guideline is crucial for food safety because when food is held in the "danger zone" (between 41°F and 135°F), bacteria can grow rapidly.

Food that has been at room temperature for longer than four hours poses a higher risk for foodborne illnesses as bacteria can multiply to unsafe levels. The four-hour rule helps ensure that food is not kept out longer than is safe, balancing the needs of service while minimizing the risk of contamination.

In practice, this means that if food has been out for two hours, it can still be acceptable; however, it should be monitored closely. Once it reaches the four-hour mark, it should be discarded to ensure customer safety.