Danger zone (food safety)

Danger Zone (food safety) refers to the temperature range in which foodborne bacteria can grow rapidly. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines the Danger Zone as the temperature range between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C). Food that is left in this temperature range for more than two hours can become unsafe to eat, as bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria can multiply to dangerous levels.

Overview

The concept of the Danger Zone is critical in food safety practices, especially in food preparation and storage. Bacteria can double in number in as little as 20 minutes when food is kept in the Danger Zone, leading to increased risk of food poisoning. To minimize this risk, it is essential to keep hot foods hot (above 140°F) and cold foods cold (below 40°F).

Preventing Foodborne Illness

To prevent foodborne illness, it is important to:

• Cook food to the recommended temperature.
• Refrigerate or freeze perishable food within two hours of purchasing or preparing it.
• Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator, cold water, or in the microwave, rather than at room temperature.
• Use a food thermometer to ensure food is cooked safely.
• Keep the refrigerator at or below 40°F and the freezer at 0°F.

Key Terms

• Foodborne illness: Illness caused by consuming contaminated food.
• Bacteria: Microorganisms that can cause disease.
• Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria: Types of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.
• Food thermometer: A device used to measure the temperature of food.

See Also

• Food preservation
• Food safety management systems
• HACCP