What's the maximum time food can be above 8°C before we have to throw it away?
Food that has been above 8°C must be thrown away after 4 hours. This is known as the 4-hour rule. It's important to note that this is only allowed once - you can't have multiple periods where food is above 8°C, even if each period is less than 4 hours.
Common mistake: If food is only slightly above 8°C, it's safe to extend the 4-hour rule.
This is incorrect. The 4-hour rule is based on the growth rate of bacteria at temperatures above 8°C. Even a slight increase can significantly enhance bacterial growth, making the food unsafe to consume after this period.
Common mistake: You can reset the 4-hour rule by cooling the food back below 8°C and then reheating it.
Once the food has been above 8°C for a total of 4 hours, it must be discarded. Cooling and reheating do not reset the clock, as bacteria may have already reached unsafe levels, posing a health risk.
Does this apply to all types of food?
No, fresh fish has stricter requirements - it must be stored below 3°C at all times. If fresh fish goes above 3°C, it needs to be discarded immediately. For all other high-risk foods like cooked meats, dairy products, and prepared salads, the 4-hour rule applies.
Common mistake: Fresh fish can be safely stored above 3°C.
Fresh fish is highly perishable and must be stored below 3°C at all times to prevent rapid bacterial growth. Even short periods above this temperature can render fish unsafe, regardless of how quickly it is consumed.
What should we do if we find food between 6-8°C?
If food temperature is between 6-8°C, you don't need to discard it immediately, but you should monitor it closely. Take the food temperature every hour to make sure it doesn't exceed 8°C. If the fridge is not working properly, try to transfer the food to another fridge that's maintaining the ideal temperature of below 5°C.