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

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15 min • Easy • 4 to 6 servings

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Chewy chocolate chip cookies

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A plate of golden-brown, crispy vegetable fritters with herbs, placed on a kitchen counter near a stove and a bowl of chopped green herbs.

Puerto Rican bacaloa codfish & shrimp fritters

50 min • Moderate • 4 to 6 servings

Golden-brown crumble dessert in a white ceramic dish on a granite countertop with a knife and kitchen utensils in the background.

Easy Peasy Apple Crumble

40 min • Easy • 4 to 6 servings

Hungarian chicken paprikash served with spaetzle on a plate, with a pot of chicken paprikash in the background.

Chicken Paprikas

60 min • Easy to Moderate • 4 to 6 servings

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