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

Homemade meatloaf topped with ketchup and bacon on a plate, with chopped vegetables and olive oil in the background.

Perfect turkey meatloaf

90 min • Easy to Moderate • 6 to 8 servings

Grilled chicken breast garnished with herbs on a plate, with lemon and garlic cloves on a cutting board in the background.

Hand-pounded lemon chicken

35 min • Easy to Moderate • 4 servings

A plate filled with roasted pumpkin seeds sits on a kitchen counter, with a baking tray and a pumpkin visible in the background.

Pepitas (Roasted Pumpkin Seeds)

35 min • Easy • 4 to 6 servings

A margarita cocktail with a salted rim and lime garnish, served on a plate with a lime half, alongside a jigger and cocktail shaker.

3-2-1 Margarita

10 min • Easy • 1 to 2 servings

Glazed miso black cod on a plate garnished with chopped green onions, with a lemon half and pepper grinder in the background.

Black cod with miso

25 min • Easy to Moderate • 4 servings

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