Most people don’t think about it, but the cold temperature of their refrigerator or salad bar can make all the difference in keeping food safe.
Bacteria thrive if a refrigerator is kept below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This causes food to spoil faster than if it was kept at the right temperature.
However, this makes storage units especially susceptible to foodborne illness. Salad bars are often more likely to be contaminated than refrigerators.
Thankfully, you can easily protect yourself from getting sick. This ensures your salad bar or refrigerator remains cold enough to inhibit bacterial growth! So, how hard must a salad bar or refrigerator be to keep food safe?
Here are a few things to know: refrigerator and freezer temperatures, green bags, portion sizes, and how to maintain temperature.
Refrigerator Temperature
How cold must a salad bar or refrigerator be to keep food safe? The ideal temperature for a refrigerator is between 32°F and 40°F.
If your fridge is set any colder, your food will start to freeze. And if it’s formed any, your food will spoil more quickly.
So, use a fridge thermometer to check the temperature of your fridge regularly, and adjust the setting as needed. The closer you can keep your fridge to 32°F, the better.
Freezer Temperature
The FDA recommends that your freezer maintain a temperature of 0°F (-18°C) to keep food safe. Most home freezers can maintain this temperature, but it’s a good idea to check yours with an appliance thermometer.
If your freezer is too warm, your food will thaw and spoil quickly. If it’s too cold, your food will take longer to soften when ready.
Green Bags & Ziploc Bags
You’ve probably seen green bags in the produce section of your grocery store, and maybe you’ve even used them at home.
But did you know that these bags can determine the coldness of your food and help keep your food fresh for longer? Green Bags are made from a particular type of plastic called Polyethylene, which is more durable than regular plastics.
These plastics also make Ziploc sandwich bags, so it’s no surprise they work great as reusable produce bags!
One bonus: They’re compostable, too! Ziplocs are not just for leftovers. You can use them as reusable sandwich baggies.
As you satisfy your quest on “How cold does a salad bar or refrigerator have to be to keep food safe?” Remember that green bags play a role, too.
Plastic Wrap/Tin Foil
This is a factor to consider while considering “how cold does a salad bar or refrigerator have to be to keep food safe.”
Food should not be allowed to come in contact with anything contaminating it.
The food’s temperature also needs to remain at a certain level for an appropriate amount of time. It should not drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Portion Sizes
This is a factor to consider while considering “how cold does a salad bar or refrigerator have to be to keep food safe.”
For example, the temperature at which most people can still enjoy their meal without getting sick is around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
But if you plan on storing your raw eggs, such as in a cookie dough recipe, at that temperature, they will not last as long. Eggs are one of the foods that will spoil fastest at that temperature.
Tips for Food Holding Temperature
The ideal temperature for storing and holding hot food is 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and the ideal temperature for storing and keeping cold food is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
The temperature danger zone is 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit, where bacteria can proliferate.
To ensure safety, measuring the internal temperature of cooked food with a food thermometer before serving is essential.
When transporting hot or cold food, use an insulated container to maintain the proper temperatures.
Set your refrigerator at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower at home and your freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Cold Does a Salad Bar or Refrigerator Have to Be to Keep Food Safe
In conclusion, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all refrigerated foods be kept at 40°F or below to prevent the growth of bacteria.
If you’re one of those asking, “How cold does a salad bar or refrigerator have to be to keep food safe?” Remember that means your salad bar or refrigerator should never exceed 40°F.
Bacteria essentially proliferate at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, so it’s essential to keep an eye on the temperature of your fridge.
Keep the temperature below 40°F. If you notice the temperature creeping up, immediately cool things down.
