Food Safety: Temperature
control of potentially
hazardous foods
Alternative temperature control
systems
Keep potentially hazardous foods either 5C or
colder or 60C or hotter
The 2 hour/4 hour
guide
How long food can be at room
temperature and remain safe
The 2 hour/4 hour
guide
How long food can be at room
temperature and remain safe.
It is important to follow these
essential food safety practices:
> Do not contaminate the food—you and your staff must
prepare it hygienically and protect it from contamination
> Cool cooked foods quickly and within the legally requir
> Ensure your coolrooms and refrigerators are working
effectively.
The four hours includes any time that the food has been out
of temperature control during preparation, storage, display
and transport.
Temperature control
requirements
To ensure that food stays safe, you are
legally required to ensure that
potentially hazardous foods are kept
either very cold (5C or colder) or very
hot (60C or hotter) or at another
temperature if that is safe.
Potentially hazardous foods
Must ensure that the time that food
is at room temperature (that is,
between 5C and 60C) is kept as short
as possible to minimise the
opportunity for bacteria to multiply
Measure the temperature of
food
Suggested methods of
compliance
Food receipt
Receive food by the supplier in
good condition
Food storage
Food must be stored properly under
the laws
Food display
Keep food in good aspect to
the diner
Enforcement
Failure to comply with a requirement of the Food Safety
Standards is an offence under the State or Territory
food or health laws
Enforcement of the temperature
control requirements