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

Creamy baked macaroni and cheese topped with golden breadcrumbs and garnished with chopped tomatoes and green onions.

Tomato, Tofu & Macaroni (Vegan Mac & Cheese)

50 min • Easy to Moderate • 4 servings

Cherry-topped, iced red cocktail with a paper umbrella and straw, set on a kitchen counter with a bottle and towel nearby.

Shirley Temple

5 min • Easy • 1 serving

Four cooked chicken thighs garnished with chopped parsley on a plate, with a pot on the stove in the background.

Quick chicken stock

70 min • Easy • 4 servings

A bowl of vibrant green tomatillo salsa garnished with cilantro, with fresh tomatillos and jalapeño slices on the side.

Traditional salsa verde

15 min • Easy • 4 to 6 servings

Golden brown plum crumb cake on a white plate, set on a kitchen countertop.

Pluot Coffee Cake

70 min • Moderate • 8 to 10 servings

Made with Love

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