A local nursing home has a yearly barbecue for its residents. Which food item should not be served?

Serving rare hamburgers at a nursing home should be avoided due to the heightened risk of foodborne illness. Ground beef, which is used in hamburgers, can harbor harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. When hamburgers are cooked to a rare level, they may not reach a temperature high enough to effectively kill these pathogens, thereby increasing the risk for residents, particularly the elderly, who may have compromised immune systems.

In contrast, medium-well steaks, grilled chicken breasts, and vegetable skewers present safer options because they can be cooked to appropriate temperatures that eliminate harmful bacteria and ensure food safety. Medium-well steaks achieve a level of doneness that significantly reduces food safety risks, grilled chicken must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F, and vegetable skewers do not have the same concerns regarding bacteria when cooked properly. Thus, considering the safety of the vulnerable population at the nursing home, rare hamburgers are the least appropriate choice.