Achyut Adhikari, Gupta, Priyanka, Aryal, Jyoti, Lituma, Ivannova
Temperature Danger Zone (40 F - 140 F)
Food safety requires you to reach and maintain correct temperatures while preparing food. Pathogens can thrive in food if it is prepared or served at certain temperatures for an extended period of time, causing various illnesses. Between the time food is finished cooking and the time it is served, it is vital to keep an eye on the temperature of the food, whether the food is hot or cold.
The temperature danger zone is the range between 40 F and 140 F in which bacteria grows rapidly. In this temperature zone, bacteria in perishable foods can reach unsafe levels that can make you sick. Food at any temperature within this zone experiences the growth of bacteria, but they multiply even more quickly between 70 F and 125 F. The longer food is exposed to the temperature danger zone, the more bacteria will grow on it.
All food handlers are responsible for recognizing the importance of the temperature danger zone to protect consumers from foodborne illness. Bacteria may develop to unhealthy levels if food is allowed to enter the temperature danger zone. This type of dangerous bacterial growth can occur without any visible signs of spoilage. Therefore, it is extremely critical to understand the temperature danger zone and keep food out of it by keeping perishable food cold or hot, as necessary. Time-temperature abuse can be more problematic than temperature abuse alone. Allowing food to sit in the danger zone for an extended period increases the food safety risks.
All perishables left out at room temperature for more than two hours should be discarded. Moreover, food should not be left out for more than one hour if the room or outdoor temperature is above 90 F. Foods can be consumed, reheated or refrigerated within the two-hour time restriction to bring them back to food-safe temperatures. Checking the temperature of your food using a food thermometer every hour will allow you to regulate the temperature and help you perform necessary actions.
If you are preparing food and do not intend to serve it soon, you must bring the temperature of the food down to the safe range. It might be a challenge to cool food below 40 F without letting it sit in the danger zone for a long time. Additionally, placing hot food directly in the refrigerator can raise the temperature inside the refrigerator. This can increase the risk that food that is already in the refrigerator may enter the danger zone. You can follow some of these steps to lower the temperature of hot food without promoting the growth of bacteria:
Food must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature to make food safe for consumption. A food thermometer should be used to check if the food has become hot enough to destroy hazardous bacteria that can cause food poisoning. The minimum internal temperature at which pathogens are destroyed depends upon the type of food. Use the following table to cook food to these minimum internal temperatures. You can choose to cook food at a higher temperature depending on your preference.
Food | Internal Temperature (F) |
---|---|
Pork, ham, beef, veal, lamb (steaks, chops and roasts) |
145 (3 minutes rest time) |
Poultry | 165 |
Ground meat | 160 |
Ground poultry | 165 |
Pre-cooked ham packaged in USDA-inspected plant (to reheat) |
140 |
Pre-cooked ham (others) | 165 |
Fish with fins and shellfish | 145 (until flesh is opaque) |
Eggs | 160 |
Leftovers and casseroles | 165 |
Source: Foodsafety.gov
FoodSafety.gov. (2022). Cook to a Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Food Safety Charts. Retrieved from https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/safe...