According to Health Code, which item can be the exception to the rule of thawing frozen foods before cooking?

The rule of thawing frozen foods before cooking is generally in place to ensure even cooking and to reduce the risk of bacterial growth. However, hamburger patties can be an exception to this rule. When cooking frozen hamburger patties directly from their frozen state, they can be safely cooked to the appropriate internal temperature without thawing first. This is because ground beef has a relatively even thickness, which allows for effective heat transfer throughout the patty as it cooks.

Cooking the patties from frozen ensures they reach the necessary internal temperature to kill any potential pathogens, allowing for safe consumption. Furthermore, the method used for cooking (such as grilling or frying) is typically effective for cooking patties directly from the frozen state.

Other frozen items like chicken breasts, steaks, and fish fillets may not cook as evenly when cooked directly from frozen, increasing the risk of undercooking certain parts and exposing consumers to harmful bacteria. Thus, while they need to be thawed first, hamburger patties provide a specific exception under health regulations for proper and safe cooking practices.