Food Safety

• Fridge

  • From 0°C up to 5°C
• Freezer

  • At -18°C or lower
• Cooked food

  • Minimum core temp 75°C for 2 mins
• Use-by dates

  • food with a use-by date spoil rapidly and are not safe to eat after the date.
  • E.g. chicken, dairy, fish
• Best before dates

  • food with a best before date will be safe to eat for a short while after the date and the quality will not be affected. However, the food quality will eventually reduce.
  • e.g. biscuits, dry pasta
• Perishable foods

  • spoil easily and quickly
  • need to be stored in a temperature controlled environment
  • have a use by date
• Ambient foods

  • can be stored at room temperature
  • have a best before date
  • can be semi-perishable food (limited shelf-life e.g. some bread, onions etc.)
• Frozen foods

  • can be kept frozen for a few months
  • Meat and fish are perishable when defrosted, most bacteria becomes active once defrosted.
  • Freezing does not kill bacteria
  • defrost fully in fridge
• Danger zone temperatures

  5°C to 63°C