What does .85 a_w stand for in food safety?

In food safety, .85 a_w refers to the measurement of water activity in food. Water activity (a_w) is a crucial concept in food science that indicates the availability of water for microbial growth. It is expressed as a value between 0 and 1, where 1 represents pure water. A value of .85 a_w suggests that there is sufficient moisture in the food to support the growth of some bacteria, yeasts, and molds, which can affect food spoilage and safety.

Understanding water activity is essential for food processors and safety professionals because managing a_w can help in controlling the growth of pathogens and spoilage organisms in various food products. For example, foods with low water activity values (below .60 a_w) tend to be more shelf-stable and less prone to microbial growth, which is a critical consideration for food preservation and safety measures.

The other options do not accurately represent the concept of .85 a_w, as they refer to different attributes of food that are not directly related to the availability of water in the same way.