
What is the temperature you must retain cold foods?
Cold Food. Hold cold foods at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or less and check the temperature every four hours. If the temperature of the food at four hours is greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit, the food must be discarded. It is permissible to hold cold food without temperature controls for up to four hours if the following conditions are met: Food ...
How cold should cold foods be kept?
- The ideal refrigerator temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below in the main part of the fridge. ...
- If you’re wondering what temperature should a refrigerator be, put a thermometer inside your fridge. ...
- If your refrigerator is older, it may not maintain the same temperature all over. ...
What is the minimum holding temp for hot foods?
What is the minimum temperature for holding hot food?, The FDA Food Code requires that all hot foods be maintained at 135 °F or above. When temperatures of food fall below 135 °F, they are in the temperature danger zone— temperatures at which bacteria grow rapidly.
What temp should cold foods be served?
hazardous cold food must be maintained at 41°F or less and hot food maintained at 140°F or ...
How long can food stay in temperature danger zone?
How long to cook food in microwave?
What is the TCS food danger zone?
What temperature should cold foods be kept at?
How long does it take for food to cool down?
Can you reheat food in the temperature danger zone?
See 3 more
About this website

Food Safety Charts | FoodSafety.gov
The keys to basic food safety are cooking it to the right temperature and storing it properly. Foods are properly cooked when they are heated for a long enough time and at a high enough temperature to kill the harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness.
Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart | Food Safety and Inspection ...
Product Minimum Internal Temperature & Rest Time; Beef, Pork, Veal & Lamb Steaks, chops, roasts: 145 °F (62.8 °C) and allow to rest for at least 3 minutes
TCS Foods Poster - StateFoodSafety
Some foods grow bacteria more easily and quickly than other foods. These foods are known as time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods because they require certain time and temperature controls to prevent unsafe bacteria growth.
Time and Temperature Control - ServSafe
©2019 National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). All rights reserved. ServSafe® and the ServSafe logo are trademarks of NRAEF. National ...
What is TCS food?
Foods that need time and temperature control for safety—known as TCS foods—include milk and dairy products, eggs, meat (beef, pork, and lamb), poultry, fish, shellfish and crustaceans, baked potatoes, tofu or other soy protein, sprouts and sprout seeds, sliced melons, cut tomatoes, cut leafy greens, untreated garlic-and-oil mixtures, and cooked rice, beans, and vegetables.
How to thaw TCS?
TCS food can be thawed one of four ways: Refrigeration — thaw at a temperature of 41℉ or lower. Running Water — submerge food under running water at 70℉ or lower. Microwaving — only to be used if food will be cooked immediately after thawing. Cooking — include thawing in the cooking process.
What temperature should TCS hold food?
TCS Holding Temperatures. Cold foods must be maintained at 41℉ or less. Hot food must be maintained at 135℉ or above. Be sure to check the temperature at least every four hours. Checking the temperature every two hours would be ideal to leave time for corrective action. Throw out food that is not 41ºF or lower, or 135ºF or higher.
What is the temperature danger zone?
The temperature danger zone is between 41℉ and 135℉— a temperature range in which pathogens grow well. Harmful microorganisms can grow to levels high enough to cause illness within four hours.
How long does it take for food to cool?
Food must pass through the temperature danger zone quickly to reduce the growth of pathogens. First the food must be cooled from 135℉ to 70℉ within two hours, then cooled to 41℉ or lower in the next four hours.
How to cool food quickly?
The most effective way to cool food is to reduce its size. This involves dividing large containers of food into smaller containers or shallow pans. Methods for cooling foods include: Using cold water as an ingredient (soups, stews, etc.) ***Note: Coolers are designed to keep cold food cold, not to cool hot food quickly.
What is TCS in food?
Most recently “PHF” has undergone yet another transformation. Increasingly, the new term used is “ TCS ,” or foods requiring time and temperature control for safety. This change emphasizes not merely the potential existence of unsafe pathogens, but the two primary ways to control contamination in the first place—that is, the solution rather than merely the problem. Several factors affect the rate at which pathogens grow in food, but time and temperature are two of the most easily-controlled factors along the supply chain. “TCS” thus reflects the shift from reactive to proactive approaches to food safety initiated by passage of FSMA.
Why is FSMS important?
An FSMS is critically important to help any food business to protect customers from food safety risks, including food poisoning or allergic reactions.
Why are consumers demanding TCS food items year round?
Consumers are demanding TCS food items year-round at grocery stores, restaurants, and other outlets that provide ready-to-eat meals. They’re more discriminating at point of sale, seeking out food items from retailers they trust will deliver a safe and quality product. For this reason alone, managers and staff must be mindful of all of the points along the supply chain when and where TCS foods are at risk for time and temperature excursions.
What is a perishable food?
The traditional definition of “ perishable foods ” has been revised over the years to reflect scientific and technological developments. “Perishable foods” broadly emphasizes the idea that food such as raw meat or produce eventually spoils, but without any connotation regarding safety.
How long does it take for food to be reheated?
Therefore, hot/cold ready-to-eat foods that are not temperature controlled should be consumed or reheated/chilled within 4 hours. After that, they should be discarded.
What happens during the lag phase of TCS?
During this lag phase, the microorganisms assimilate nutrients and increase in size. The lag phase of a microorganism depends on temperature; therefore, for a specific TCS product, the shelf life or use period required for safety may vary depending on the temperature at which the product is stored.
What are the most common TCS foods?
More specifically, the most common TCS foods include: Milk and other dairy products. Meat (beef, pork, lamb) or poultry (chicken, turkey) Fish and shellfish. Eggs.
What is a good example of temperature abuse over time?
Bacteria will begin to develop in cooked items such as meats, fish, pork, and poultry that have been left out at room temperature for an extended period of time. These bacteria may render food hazardous in approximately two hours, possibly causing food poisoning if someone eats it.
What is the maximum time it takes for TCS food to be ready to eat?
As a result, ready-to-eat TCS food that has been stored for more than 24 hours must be labelled. It must state whether the product should be sold, consumed, or discarded. TCS food that is ready to eat may only be preserved for seven days if kept at 41°F (5°C) or below.
Is butter considered a TCS food?
To prevent bacterial development, dairy products should be kept at 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) or below. Pasteurized butter is not a TCS food, meaning it does not need to be refrigerated to be safe, according to an FDA study.
What are the four ways of thawing food that are acceptable?
Bacteria that may have been present before freezing may begin to proliferate as soon as raw or cooked meat, poultry, or egg products thaw and reach temperatures over 40°F.
How long can you keep food warm?
Except for a few exceptions, hot food must be maintained at 63°C or above. Use appropriate hot holding equipment to maintain hot food above 63°C while displaying it, such as on a buffet. If this is not feasible, you may remove the meal from the hot holding and show it for up to two hours, but only once.
What is the danger zone for temperature?
Bacteria grow most quickly at temperatures between 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. The “Danger Zone” is the name given to this temperature range. Food should never be left out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours.
What exactly is the two-hour-four-hour rule?
The 2 Hour/ 4 Hour Rule specifies how long fresh potentially hazardous foods*, such as cooked meat and meat-based foods, dairy products, prepared fruits and vegetables, cooked rice and pasta, and cooked or processed foods containing eggs, can be safely held at temperatures in the danger zone; that is, between 40°F and 40°F.
How long can food stay in temperature danger zone?
The longer food is in the temperature danger zone, the more time pathogens have to grow. The goal is to reduce the amount of time TCS food spends in the temperature danger zone. If food is held in this range for four or more hours, you must throw it out. It’s better to check temps every two hours and take corrective action when needed.
How long to cook food in microwave?
Time and temperature control for safety foods cooked in a microwave must be cooked to 165 F. The product must be covered, and rotated or stirred during the cooking process. After cooking, allow two minutes stand time before serving.
What is the TCS food danger zone?
TCS foods are time and temperature abused any time they’re in the temperature danger zone, 41 to 140 degrees F. This occurs when food is:
What temperature should cold foods be kept at?
Cold foods must be maintained at 41 F or less.
How long does it take for food to cool down?
Foods must be cooled from 140 to 70 F within 2 hours and from 70 to 41 F within an additional 4 hours. The goal is to cool foods as quickly as possible.
Can you reheat food in the temperature danger zone?
Not cooled or reheated properly. The longer food is in the temperature danger zone, the more time pathogens have to grow. The goal is to reduce the amount of time TCS food spends in the temperature danger zone. If food is held in this range for four or more hours, you must throw it out.
