Importance of Regulations
Food temperature regulations can sometimes seem tedious when you’re running a business. They’re there for an excellent reason, though. Pathogens can thrive unless you follow the proper food temperature guidelines.
When you’re cooking and serving food in WA, you can’t afford to be on the wrong side of these guidelines. Neglecting to adhere to them could make you criminally and civilly liable if someone is made ill or dies as a result of your negligence.
What Are Hazardous Foods?
Hazardous foods are classified as those in which pathogenic microorganisms may cause food to become toxic. These foods include:
- Anything that contains raw or cooked meat. The list consists of, amongst others, sandwiches, pies, and casseroles.
- Processed foods that contain nuts, beans, or eggs.
- Dairy products.
- Seafood.
- Processed or cut fruits and vegetables such as crudité and fruit salad.
- Cooked pasta or rice.
Safe Temperatures
Cold food and meat storage must be kept at 5°C or lower to be considered safe. Heated or reheated food must be warmed up to 60°C or higher. Anything in between can potentially fall in the temperature danger zone.
At temperatures between 5°C and 60°C, pathogens may continue to multiply. The longer the food stays in this zone of temperatures, the more pathogens accumulate. Eventually, they’ll become toxic. You can leave hazardous foods out for between two and four hours at most.
Thermostat Guidelines
It’s better to run your thermostat a little cooler than recommended. Running a cooler does increase energy usage a little, but it gives you a safety cushion if the thermostat is not operating at 100%.
It’s essential to test the temperature inside display and storage refrigerators regularly. Do this with a thermometer to ensure that the thermostat is working as it should.
Keep in mind that refrigerators don’t maintain an even temperature throughout. Measure the temperatures on each shelf separately to be on the safe side.
Talk to Commercial Fridge Rentals Today
Is your trusty old refrigerator on its way out? Is it no longer capable of giving you the cold shoulder? Call us at Commercial Fridge Rentals, and let’s discuss renting another one. Renting a refrigerator removes the burden of maintenance and allows you to upgrade your equipment more often.