When should reheated food be served?
Reheated food should be served immediately after it reaches the correct internal temperature. This ensures the food is safe to eat and maintains its quality. The correct reheating temperature is a minimum of 75°C in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and 82°C in Scotland.
Common misunderstanding: Reheated food can sit out for a while before serving.
Leaving reheated food out can lead to a drop in temperature, allowing harmful bacteria to multiply. Serve it right away to keep it safe.
Common misunderstanding: It’s safe to serve reheated food at any temperature as long as it’s hot.
Food needs to reach a specific temperature to ensure all bacteria are killed. Always use a food thermometer to check that it has reached at least 75°C or 82°C depending on your location.
Can reheated food be held before service?
Yes, but only if it is transferred immediately into pre-heated hot holding equipment after reaching the correct temperature. This equipment should keep the food at a safe temperature until it is served.
Common misunderstanding: Any hot holding equipment can be used to keep reheated food safe.
Only use equipment specifically designed for hot holding. Other types might not maintain the necessary temperature, risking food safety.
Common misunderstanding: Reheated food can be held indefinitely in hot holding equipment.
Even in hot holding equipment, don’t keep reheated food for too long. Follow your local food safety guidelines to know how long you can hold food safely.
What should be done if food is not served immediately after reheating?
If food cannot be served immediately, it must be kept in pre-heated hot holding equipment to maintain the correct temperature. If this isn’t possible, the food should be served immediately or discarded to prevent the risk of foodborne illness.
Common misunderstanding: Food that cools down after reheating can be reheated again.
Food must never be reheated more than once. Reheating multiple times can increase the risk of food poisoning.
Common misunderstanding: It’s okay to leave food out until ready to serve once it’s been reheated.
Leaving reheated food out can allow it to enter the danger zone between 5-63°C, where bacteria can multiply quickly. Always keep it in hot holding equipment if not serving immediately.