What method is commonly used to prevent the growth of bacteria in food?

Preventing the growth of bacteria in food is crucial for food safety, and the best approach involves multiple strategies. Freezing food products effectively slows down bacterial growth by rendering the bacteria inactive due to low temperatures. Cooking food to the required temperatures kills harmful bacteria that may be present, ensuring that the food is safe to eat. Additionally, properly storing food in sealed containers helps maintain its freshness and prevents cross-contamination, which is vital for reducing the risk of bacterial growth.

Integrating all these methods—freezing, cooking, and proper storage—creates a comprehensive food safety strategy that addresses different stages of food handling and storage. Each method plays a unique role in safeguarding food from bacteria, making the combination of these practices the most effective way to ensure food safety. Thus, recognizing that each option contributes to the overall goal of preventing bacterial growth validates why choosing all of them is the correct answer.