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Food Preparation
 Stay Out Of The Temperature Zone !
 

Temperature can be the best friend or worst enemy for bacteria.  Disease causing bacteria can grow between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.  This is often referred to as the "Temperature Danger Zone".  It is important to keep foods out of this temperature range whenever possible.  To achieve this goal, you must thaw food correctly, cook food thoroughly, cool food quickly, reheat correctly and only once, keep cold foods cold, and keep hot foods hot.

Cool Cooked Foods Quickly:

Thaw Frozen Foods:
  •   Placing food in a shallow, partially
      covered container.
  •   Place food in the refrigerator or
      freezer so air can circulate.
  •   Pre-cool food using an ice bath.
  •   Stir regularly during the cooling process.

 

  • Thawing in the Refrigerator
            OR
  •  Placing in a watertight plastic bag
     and submerging in cold water (change
     the water every 20 minutes).
            OR
  •  Thawing in the microwave and
      cooking  immediately after thawing.


 

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