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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued detailed guidelines on food storage, preparation, and cooking for good reason. About 1 in 6 people deal with food poisoning each year. Bacteria and other disease-causing agents can easily get into food and ingredients, but best practices in food handling can prevent or at least reduce the risks of people getting sick.
Tips for Safe Food Storage
When it comes to food storage, temperature is critical. Ideally, the internal temperature should be below 41°F, while freezers should be set to 0°F or lower. There are many ways to safely thaw out food; doing so at room temperature is not recommended. And all fresh meat and poultry should be wrapped tightly to prevent contamination.
When testing refrigerator or freezer temperature, always use an appliance thermometer. Consult our food temperature safety chart for more specifics on optimal temperatures and how to store and cook certain foods.
Tips for Safe Food Prep
During preparation, it is essential to wash your hands and food items such as produce. Follow exact guidelines for marinating meat and poultry and take precautions to avoid cross-contamination. Sanitizing utensils and preparation surfaces is another one of our many tips for safely preparing food.
Tips for Safe Cooking
Contamination can and does occur during cooking. Only with a food thermometer can you determine if internal temperatures are high enough to kill bacteria. Stirring the food can ensure it’s properly heated and you want to make sure all sauces, gravy, and soups are hot enough to be safe to consume. Thus, temperature is critical during food handling, storage, and cooking. Wireless temperature monitoring from ComplianceMate helps maximize food safety at all levels for businesses and customers.
