Cooling and Reheating Potentially Hazardous foods is also available a PDF in English and Spanish. Improper cooling and reheating are major causes of foodborne illness. State Sanitary Code changes, which became effective August 19, 1992, were made after informational sessions and meetings with food service establishment operators and regulators and other food industry representatives. The new requirements call for changes in cooling and reheating potentially hazardous foods. Potentially hazardous foods requiring refrigeration must be cooled by an adequate method so that every part of the product is reduced from 120 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours, and from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below within four additional hours. Bacteria that cause food poisoning grow at temperatures between 45 degrees Fahrenheit and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooling requirement limits the length of time that potentially hazardous food is in the temperature range at which harmful bacteria can grow. Foods particularly important to meet the cooling requirement include soups, sauces, gravies, stews, rice, chili, whole turkeys, turkey breasts and whole roast beef. Food temperatures should be measured with a stem thermometer.
CoolingThere are several ways to rapidly cool potentially hazardous food. The manager of the establishment should determine which method or combination of methods is most effective for a particular food. The methods of cooling are:
ReheatingThe State Sanitary Code now requires that the entire mass of all cooked and refrigerated potentially hazardous food which is to be reheated must be reheated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit or above within two hours, and held above 140 degrees Fahrenheit until served. This procedure destroys the bacteria that can cause food poisoning and prevents the bacteria from growing in the food. Foods may be prepared as close to the serving time as possible, and in quantities that will minimize leftovers, thus eliminating any need for cooling and reheating.
EnforcementDuring inspections, foods that are cooled or reheated improperly will require immediate corrective actions and violations will be recorded on the inspection report form. Violations can result in enforcement action. Potentially hazardous food that is improperly cooled must be destroyed and discarded or the health department sanitarian will be required to embargo it. Foods under embargo may not be served to customers or otherwise removed from the premises until a hearing has been held to determine the disposition of the food. If you have any questions about how this information affects your establishment, contact your local health department.
What temperature should hot holding be?Hot food must be kept at 63°C or above, except for certain exceptions. When you display hot food, e.g. on a buffet, you should use suitable hot holding equipment to keep it above 63°C.
How long can you hold food at 140 degrees?The USDA did issue an advisory that “A minimum temperature of 135 degrees for a maximum of 8 hours, or a minimum temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit indefinitely also would be adequate to ensure food safety.”
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