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

A stack of golden pancakes topped with a dollop of cream and a pat of butter, placed on a plate with a fork beside it.

Sour cream pancakes

25 min • Easy • 4 to 6 servings

Pan-seared pork chops with cherry sauce on a plate, garnished with whole cherries, next to a skillet on a kitchen countertop.

Pork Chops in Bourbon, Cherry-Pomegranate Sauce

30 min • Easy to Moderate • 4 servings

Cocktail made with Bacardi rum, lime, and a shaker on a kitchen countertop.

Gimlet (traditional)

5 min • Easy • 1 serving

A cup of tea with milk served with a slice of crumb cake on a plate, accompanied by a spoon, set on a wooden kitchen counter.

Tea with a bag

8 min • Easy • 1 serving

Golden-brown baked lasagna in a white dish, garnished with fresh parsley, sits on a kitchen counter next to a jar of flour.

Lasagne

300 min • Hard • 6 to 8 servings

Made with Love

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