Food Safety - Proper Cooking & Reheating Temperatures | SCDHEC (2024)

FAQs

Food Safety - Proper Cooking & Reheating Temperatures | SCDHEC? ›

*All parts of the food must reach a temperature of at least 165°F for 15 seconds. Reheating must be done rapidly, within 2 hours after being removed from refrigeration. Foods reheated in a microwave oven must be reheated so that all parts of the food reach a temperature of at least 165°F.

Reheating means cooking again, not just warming up. Always reheat food until it is piping hot all the way through i.e. above 75°C for at least 30 seconds. Food should only be reheated once. If ovens or grills are used for reheating, make sure they are preheated.

Foods that have been cooked and cooled should be reheated to at least 165 °F. Heat cooked, commercially vacuum-sealed, ready-to-eat foods, such as hams and roasts, to 140 °F. Reheat leftovers thoroughly to at least 165 °F.

If you reheat previously cooked and cooled potentially hazardous food, you must reheat it rapidly to 60°C or hotter. Ideally, you should aim to reheat food to 60°C within a maximum of two hours to minimise the amount of time that food is at temperatures that favour the growth of bacteria or formation of toxins.

When reheating leftovers, be sure they reach 165° F as measured with a food thermometer. Reheat sauces, soups and gravies by bringing them to a rolling boil.

The proper way to reheat food? Food that will be hot-held must be reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for 15 seconds within two hours.

Note: There are three important temperatures to remember when cooking meat or eggs at home: Eggs and all ground meats must be cooked to 160°F; poultry and fowl to 165°F; and fresh meat steaks, chops and roasts to 145°F. Use a thermometer to check temperatures.

Always reheat food until it is steaming hot all the way through (you should only do this once). Do not put food into hot holding without reheating it properly first. Check that reheated food is steaming hot all the way through. If the equipment seems to be working, reheat the dish for longer and then test it again.

The State Sanitary Code now requires that the entire mass of all cooked and refrigerated potentially hazardous food which is to be reheated must be reheated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit or above within two hours, and held above 140 degrees Fahrenheit until served.

The danger zone is the temperature range of 40–140°F (4–60°C), in which bacteria grow and thrive. Keeping perishable foods out of the danger zone is critical to keeping your food safe.

What are the safe practices to heat and reheat of food? ›

Reheat food to steaming hot

Reheat food until it is steaming hot - above 75 °C or, preferably, boiling. Food should steam throughout, not just on the edges. Take care when reheating food in a microwave oven. Follow the same actions as when cooking with a microwave to ensure all the food is heated to above 75 °C.

After cooking, all potentially hazardous foods must be held at a minimum 60°C / 140°F until service. All potentially hazardous foods must be reheated, within a 2 hour period, to at least their specified minimum internal cooking temperature. All poultry pieces must be reheated to at least 74°C / 165°F.

Hot holding Temperatures above 63°C will control the multiplication of bacteria in hot food. growth of any bacteria or germination of spores that may be present. temperature of 82°C, which will ensure that food has been reheated to a safe and, in some cases, legally required temperature.

You don't reheat them to a high enough temperature.

"When reheating leftovers, be sure they reach 165 F as measured with a food thermometer," recommends the USDA. "Reheat sauces, soups, and gravies by bringing them to a rolling boil.

Food that is cooked, cooled, and refrigerated will be reheated within 2 hours to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F for 15 seconds prior to hot holding.

Keep Food Out of the "Danger Zone"

If the temperature is above 90 °F, food should not be left out more than 1 hour. Keep hot food hot—at or above 140 °F. Place cooked food in chafing dishes, preheated steam tables, warming trays, and/or slow cookers. Keep cold food cold—at or below 40 °F.

After cooking, all potentially hazardous foods must be held at a minimum 60°C / 140°F until service. All potentially hazardous foods must be reheated, within a 2 hour period, to at least their specified minimum internal cooking temperature. All poultry pieces must be reheated to at least 74°C / 165°F.

Proper reheating can eliminate a major portion of pathogens (disease-causing organisms). When reheating for hot holding, Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods (aka potentially hazardous food or PHF) must be reheated to 165°F or above for 15 seconds.

The temperature range in which disease causing bacteria grow best in TCS food is called the temperature danger zone. The temperature danger zone is between 41°F and 135°F. TCS food must pass through the temperature danger zone as quickly as possible. Keep hot food hot and cold food cold.