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

Decadent chocolate soufflé with molten center served with vanilla ice cream on a beige plate, set on a wooden kitchen counter.

Chocolate souffle

33 min • Moderate • 8 servings

A plate of spaghetti carbonara garnished with parsley, with a block of cheese, oil bottle, and skillet in the background.

Carbonara alla Angela

35 min • Easy to Moderate • 2 servings

Spiced minced meat curry garnished with chopped parsley, served on a white plate.

Garam Marsala (Wet Paste)

10 min • Easy • 10 to 12 servings

Cheesy frittata topped with sliced tomatoes and fresh herbs in a cast iron skillet, with ripe tomatoes in the background.

Layered frittata

30 min • Easy • 6 servings

Fresh arugula salad with cherry tomatoes, croutons, and red onion, served with lemon vinaigrette and olive oil on a wooden countertop.

Lemon honey dressing

5 min • Easy • 4 to 6 servings

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