For how long can onions be held before they need to be discarded?

Onions can be held for up to 4 hours before they need to be discarded to ensure food safety and quality. This time frame is critical because, after being cut or prepared, onions can become a breeding ground for bacteria if they are not stored properly or used within a safe time. Holding food items like onions beyond this period may increase the risk of foodborne illness and reduce the quality of the food served. Therefore, maintaining a strict adherence to the 4-hour rule helps ensure that customers receive fresh and safe food, which is a key expectation in the food service industry. Proper training on food safety practices emphasizes the need to monitor holding times accurately.