Foods kept too long, at the right temperature for growth, are said to have been subject to what type of abuse?

The scenario described refers specifically to a situation where food is kept for an extended period at temperatures that promote bacterial growth. This is classified as storage-time abuse. Foods that are not used within the recommended time frame, while maintained within a temperature range conducive to microbial proliferation, can lead to foodborne illnesses.

Thermometer-temperature abuse suggests incorrect usage of temperature monitoring devices rather than the inappropriate duration of food storage. Freezer burn abuse pertains to the damage that occurs due to prolonged exposure of food to air in a freezer, which is unrelated to safety issues arising from time and temperature. Cross-contamination abuse involves the transfer of harmful microorganisms from one surface or food to another and does not relate to the time such items were stored at unsafe temperatures.

Thus, storage-time abuse is the correct categorization for foods that have been held too long at an improper temperature, leading to potential microbiological hazards.