The Flow of Food: An Introduction

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Apply Your Knowledge: Test Your Food Safety Knowledge

1. True or False: Chicken held at an internal temperature of 125F (52C) has been temperature abused 2. True or False: Infrared thermometers are best for measuring the internal temperature of food 3. True or False: When checking the temperature of a roast using a bimetallic stemmed thermometer, only the tip of the thermometer stem should be inserted into the product 4. True or False: A thermometer calibrated by the boilingpoint method must be set to 135F (57C), after being placed into the boiling water 5. True or False: Washing and rinsing a cutting board will prevent it from cross-contaminating the next product placed on it

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The Flow of Food

To keep food safe:

Prevent cross-contamination Prevent time-temperature abuse

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Preventing Cross-Contamination
Create physical barriers between food products:

Assign specific equipment to each type of food Clean and sanitize work surfaces, equipment, and utensils after each task

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Preventing Cross-Contamination
Create procedural barriers between food products:

Prepare raw meat, fish, and poultry and ready-to-eat food at different times (when using the same prep table) Purchase ingredients that require minimal preparation

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Preventing Time-Temperature Abuse

This includes:

The Temperature Danger Zone

Microorganisms grow rapidly

Minimizing the time food spends in the temperature danger zone Determining the best way to monitor time and temperature Making thermometers available Regularly recording temperatures and the times they are taken

Microorganisms survive and grow

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Temperature-Measuring Devices
Bimetallic Stemmed Thermometer
Indicator Head

Calibration Nut Holding Clip Stem

Sensing Area Dimple

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Temperature-Measuring Devices
Thermocouples and Thermistors

Measure temperature through a metal probe or sensing area Display results on a digital readout Often come with interchangeable probes

Immersion Probe

Surface Probe
Photos courtesy of Cooper-Atkins Corporation

Penetration Probe

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Temperature-Measuring Devices
Infrared Thermometers

Used to measure the surface temperature of food and equipment Must be held as close to the product as possible Remove barriers between thermometer and product Follow manufacturers guidelines

Photos courtesy of Cooper-Atkins Corporation

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Apply Your Knowledge: Pick the Right Thermometer

Which temperature-measuring device should be used to check the following?
1 1. 2 2. 3 3. 4 4.

Internal temperature of a hamburger patty Surface temperature of a steak Internal temperature of a roast Internal temperature of a large stockpot of soup

A. Infrared thermometer

B. Thermocouple

C. Bimetallic stemmed thermometer

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Calibrating Thermometers
Calibration

Adjusting a thermometer in order to get an accurate reading

Two methods

Boiling-point method Ice-point method

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Calibrating Thermometers
Boiling-Point Method
1. 1
2 2.

Bring clean tap water to a boil Submerge the sensing area of the thermometer stem or probe in the water for thirty seconds Hold the calibration nut and rotate the thermometer head until it reads 212F (100C) Note: The boiling point of water varies depending upon your elevation

3 3.

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Calibrating Thermometers
Ice-Point Method

1. Fill a large container with crushed ice and water

2. Submerge the thermometer stem or probe in the water for thirty seconds

3. Hold the calibration nut and rotate the thermometer head until it reads 32F (0C)

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General Thermometer Guidelines

When using thermometers:

Keep thermometers and their storage cases clean Calibrate them regularly to ensure accuracy Never use glass thermometers to monitor food temperature Insert the thermometer stem or probe into thickest part of product (usually the center) Wait for the thermometer reading to steady before recording the temperature of a food item

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Apply Your Knowledge: Calibrate the Thermometer

Put the steps for calibrating a thermometer in the proper order:
A A. Rotate the head of the thermometer until it reads 32F (0C) B B. Submerge the sensing area of the thermometer stem or probe, and wait for the reading to steady C C. Fill a container with crushed ice and clean tap water D D. Hold the adjusting nut with a wrench or other tool

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