Food Safety Zone

Temperature control is an important part of food storage. Perishable foods must be kept out of the “Food Danger Zone”(45-140º F) (7-60º C) as much as possible, because these temperatures support bacterial growth.

 

   

Cooking
Temperatures
Most disease-causing organisms killed in a few minutes.

Hot Food
Holding
Bacteris do not multiply, but most
are not killed.

Food
Danger
Zone

Bacteria multiply rapidly.


Cold Food
Storage
(refrigeration)

Food safe for short periods. Little bacteria growth.

Subfreezing Bacteria do not grow, but most are not killed.

Freezer Storage Bacteria do not grow, but most are not killed. Best temperatures for frozen food storage.
 

Popular Recipes

Check our most popular recipes of this week

Fresh strawberry cocktail in a champagne flute garnished with a strawberry, with a bottle of juice, sparkling wine, and strawberries on a kitchen counter.

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5 min • Easy • 1 serving

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15 min • Easy • 12 to 16 servings

Creamy mashed potatoes with parsley garnish in a white bowl on a wooden kitchen counter.

Creamy mashed potatoes

40 min • Easy • 4 to 6 servings

Cooked white fish fillet garnished with lemon wedges and herbs, on a white plate next to a pot and kitchen utensils.

Lemon Sea bass

20 min • Easy • 2 to 4 servings

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