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.
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.
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.
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Fridge temperatures should be checked and recorded twice per day or once per shift. Regular checking helps identify any issues early, preventing potential food safety problems.
If you discover that the fridge temperature is above 8°C, you should immediately take the following steps: (1) Check the actual food temperature using a clean, sanitised probe thermometer.
Raw meat should always be stored on the lowest shelf of the fridge to prevent drips from contaminating other foods.
Yes, it is necessary to record all fridge temperatures, even when they are within the normal range.
Yes, you can use cling film to cover food in the display fridge as long as it is food-grade wrapping. Ensure that your display fridge also has proper sneeze guards or screening to protect the food.
Batch-cooked food should be consumed within three days, including the day it was prepared. For instance, if the food is cooked on Tuesday, it should be used by the end of Thursday.
Ideally, fresh fish should be stored in a separate fridge set at a temperature below 3°C to meet its specific cooling requirements.
Fridge seals should be inspected weekly to check their condition and cleanliness. This regular maintenance helps keep the fridge working efficiently.
If the duration of the fridge outage overnight is unknown and you cannot verify that the food temperature has remained below 8°C using a probe thermometer, it is safer to discard all the food and record it as waste. However, if the temperature checks confirm the food is below 8°C, you can safely transfer it to another working fridge. This approach prevents unnecessary waste while ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
When food is stored in a fridge and the temperature is between 6-8°C, it should be checked hourly to ensure it doesn't exceed 8°C.
No, you should not put hot food directly into the fridge. Doing so can raise the temperature inside the fridge, potentially affecting other stored foods and causing temperature fluctuations.
Ensure there is adequate space around all sides of items in your fridge, particularly at the back and sides of the unit, to allow cold air to flow freely.
If you don't have access to an alternative refrigeration unit during a breakdown, you must use the affected food within 4 hours if the temperature rises above 8°C.
If the fridge seal is damaged, it's important to address the issue immediately as it can lead to warm air entering the fridge and cause temperature fluctuations.