Are safe temperatures for meat scientifically measured or empirical? For example 165°F/74°C for poultry. If they are scientifically measured, how are they determined?

Question

Are safe temperatures for meat scientifically measured or empirical? For example 165°F/74°C for poultry. If they are scientifically measured, how are they determined?

In: Biology

Answer 1

The temperature is based on when it can be assured that parasites or bacteria in the meat are dead: for instance, trichinella is a parasite that may be found in pork or salmonella bacteria found (primarily?) in chicken.