What tool is necessary to help ensure food is cooked to the correct temperature?

A food thermometer is essential for ensuring that food is cooked to the correct temperature because it provides an accurate measurement of internal temperatures, which is crucial for food safety. Many foods, especially meats, need to reach specific temperatures to kill harmful pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses. Without a food thermometer, it's challenging to determine if the food has reached a safe internal temperature, which can lead to undercooked or overcooked meals.

Other tools, such as a digital timer, measuring cups, or even a microwave oven, serve different purposes in the cooking process but do not directly measure the internal temperature of food. A digital timer helps keep track of cooking time, measuring cups assist in ingredient measurement, and a microwave oven is a cooking appliance, but none of these tools provide the necessary temperature readings needed for ensuring food safety.