Temperature Checks: Safeguarding Your Foodservice Business with Every Delivery

There is no mistake that for those of us in the Midwest, and much of the US, we are in the middle of summer, when the temperatures swell to the high-90s and low-100s. Along with the sweltering heat, comes a reminder about the importance of keeping cold food cold in our operations.  Especially as we look at those deliveries that are coming into our operations each week. This receiving process might seem like a routine task, but it plays a vital role in preventing foodborne illnesses and ensuring the overall quality of food served to customers.

Upon receiving a cold food delivery, it is essential to inspect the temperature of each product. Use a calibrated food thermometer to measure the temperature of items such as dairy, meat, poultry, and seafood. Cold foods should be maintained at or below 41°F (5°C) to prevent growth of pathogens. If any items are above this temperature, they should be rejected to avoid potential contamination.

Not only should you be sure your staff check the temperature of the food as it arrives, but they should do so in the proper manner, so it is not contaminated in the process.

  • For meat, fish, and poultry, the probe of the thermometer should be inserted directly into the thickest part of the food. For many products, but not all, this usually means the center.
  • Live shellfish can be received at an air temperature of 45°F (7°C) and an internal temperature no greater than 50°F (10°C). But it should be cooled to 41°F (5°C) or below within four hours of receiving.
  • For any vacuum-packed food or food that is packaged using modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), the thermometer should be inserted between the two packages, or if the package will allow it, it can be folded around the thermometer probe. For some items, for example, bacon that may have two vacuum sealed packaged per box, staff will need to open the case in order to take the temperature properly. Be sure not to puncture the package while taking the temperature.
  • Milk and eggs can be received at an air temperature of 45°F (7°C) or lower, but just like shellfish, should be refrigerated at or below 41°F (5°C) upon receiving.
  • Frozen foods should all be frozen solid. Look for signs of thawing and refreezing, such as ice crystals in the box, fluids or water stains on the case, or frozen liquids on or in the packages.

If the food you are receiving does not meet the above criteria, reject it and send it back.  Make sure staff who inspect these items are empowered to do so.  Rejecting any delivery can leave your operation short on supplies; however, be sure the employee who rejects a delivery is not blamed by staff for being the cause of the problem.  Remember, if you have a true food safety culture, nothing is so important that it cannot be done safely.


… when food is delivered at the correct temperature, not only does it ensure a safe project, it preserves its taste, texture, and nutritional value.   


Temperature checks also help maintain the quality of the food. When food is delivered at the correct temperature, not only does it ensure a safe project, it preserves its taste, texture, and nutritional value. For instance, if ice cream is delivered above freezing temperature, it may refreeze in the freezer, resulting in an undesirable texture. Similarly, meat and poultry products that are not kept at the right temperature leads to waste and loss of profit. Ensuring that food is delivered at the correct temperature helps maintain the quality and extends the shelf life of the products.

When customers trust that a restaurant or foodservice operation prioritizes safety and quality, they are more likely to return and recommend the establishment to others. Regular temperature checks of deliveries help build this trust, as customers can be confident they are consuming safe and high-quality food.  This simple yet effective step can prevent foodborne illnesses, reduce waste, minimize financial losses, and enhance customer satisfaction.   Risk Nothing. 

 

Fresh and Tasty Produce, but are there Food Safety Concerns?

One of the best things about the middle of summer is the wonderful variety of tasty fresh produce that is available. I hope you are enjoying the fruits of the harvest because it has great flavor and provides us with a variety of important vitamins, minerals, and fiber needed to maintain good health.

SafeBites Time and Temperature Control: How To’s

Welcome back! In the last blog I gave the low down on temperature controlled for safety (TCS) foods and the temperature danger zone (TDZ). The focus of this blog is all about control of time and temperatures of foods in your operations. You might say we are discussing Control Issues! Kidding aside, knowing that temperature abuse is a leading cause of foodborne illness, it only makes sense to pay attention to the time that TCS foods are in the TDZ (remember, that is between 41° F and 135° F). FoodHandler® recently updated some useful time and temperature documentation tools.

SafeBites Time and Temperature Control: Why & When

Hi Everyone – Cathy here. Having written the SafeFood Blog for Iowa State University for over ten years, I am happy to have the opportunity to work with FoodHandler in my retirement. Jeannie and I share with FoodHandler a passion for making sure food served is safe.

Mitigation Strategies for Cross Contamination

In our last blog, we talked about cross contamination, including the related risks and sources. Our focus today will be on some of the major strategies that can be used to mitigate cross contamination in a foodservice operation.