BumbleRumble

This statement is wildly incorrect. The USDA, or the United States Department of Agriculture, has nothing to do with setting food safety standards in the US. The US FDA, CDC, and FSIS are the governing bodies that set these policies. That said, I'm not aware of any regulatory requirement around buffet food and it's management other than required temperatures. Can you provide any source for your statement? Any documentation to support the idea that there is some governing standard that requires food destruction after a certain period of time that is universal to all foods? I'm very curious to be made aware of these regulations. Outside of food being left out at room temp for two hours, I'm not aware of any such guideline. Looking forward to learning more about the USDA governing how cruise ships operate in international waters.