Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-2-1-temperature-control [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [Food Preparation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa.md) › Temperature Control # Temperature Control Food Preparation & Nutrition: AQA GCSE, topic 4.2.1 ## Temperature Control It's really important to store food in conditions that bacteria won't grow and multiply in. You need to bear certain temperatures in mind when handling food. ### Danger zone: 5-63°C ![Danger zone: 5-63°C](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/7f75df3b-9f43-476d-ac3e-3b87344b1efc/shutterstock_123130987.jpg) - Between 5°C and 63°C, bacteria can grow and multiply very rapidly. - Bacteria grow best at 37°C, which is normal human body temperature. - Hot food should be eaten before it drops below 63°C. ### Chilling: 0-5°C ![Chilling: 0-5°C](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/e8da93f3-4ff4-4fe4-8f26-a1655baf6068/shutterstock_204615085.jpg) - Food may harden a little when it's chilled, but besides that, food doesn't really change when it's chilled. - Storing food between 0°C and 5°C will slow bacteria growth and increase shelf life (how long the food stays safe for). ### Freezing: -18°C ![Freezing: -18°C](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/3fb3a16a-4960-440d-b84f-64b066dfae5b/shutterstock_217484749.jpg) - Bacteria can no longer grow at temperatures below -18°C. - Freezing preserves nutrients and increase the shelf life of many foods. - It's important to note that bacteria become dormant when food is frozen - they don't die. As soon as food defrosts, they turn active again. ### Cooking or reheating: 75°C ![Cooking or reheating: 75°C](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/4a65f902-1d45-416e-a2a3-419de3c88bd3/shutterstock_315672290.jpg) - To destroy bacteria, we should cook food at temperatures higher than 75°C. - We should only reheat food once, and we should always reheat food thoroughly. We should heat the food for a minimum of 3 minutes or until the food is 'piping hot' (definitely above 75°C). ## Correct Use of Fridges and Freezers Fridges and freezers need to be set to certain temperatures. You must store food correctly in fridges and freezers to avoid contamination and disrupting the circulation of air. ### Fridges ![Fridges](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/14dffbcb-5acf-4586-b975-6b99546b3863/shutterstock_561902914.jpg) - The temperature of a fridge should be set at 0-5°C. - To prevent food contamination, foods should be put into containers or covered. - Store raw meats, fish and poultry at the bottom of the fridge to prevent blood and juices from leaking onto other foods. - Putting too much food in fridges will disrupt air circulation and therefore the removal of heat from food. ### Freezers ![Freezers](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/e4c13c65-b317-43d6-b698-9c8800dcda84/shutterstock_666765928.jpg) - The approximate temperature of a freezer should be -18°C. - You should note on food packaging when you stored the foods. - When you take foods like poultry and meat out of the freezer, you should place them in the fridge to allow them to defrost properly. - You may have to adjust cooking times for food that's been left to defrost - if parts of the food are still frozen, you'll need to cook the food for longer to destroy all of the bacteria. - Food packaging will often include a 'cook from frozen' guideline. You should follow this if cooking directly from frozen. ### Star ratings ![Star ratings](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/4a16951f-5d5a-43d5-9685-2288ec42b80e/shutterstock_159547142.jpg) - Star ratings - tell you how long you can store foods in fridges and freezers for. - For example, in a fridge's freezer compartment you should store: - 1★ foods - maximum 1 week at around -6°C. - 2★ foods - maximum 1 month at around -12°C. - In a freezer, you should store: - 3★ foods - up to 3 months at around -18°C. - 4★ foods - no longer than the 'best before' date at -18°C or below. ### Fridge layout ![Fridge layout](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/92c203c5-5f6a-4f4f-8e9b-ae77b076673b/shutterstock_561902365.jpg) - Top shelves and middle shelf: ready-to-eat foods (e.g. sandwiches, yoghurts, cured meats, condiments etc.) - Bottom shelves: raw meat, fish, poultry. - Salad drawer: fruit, vegetables and salad vegetables. ## Test yourself on Temperature Control - What is the danger zone of food storage temperatures? - At what temperature do bacteria grow best? - Which of the following is true of bacterial growth? - What temperatures should domestic fridges be set between? - What approximate temperature should freezers be set at? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/d59d0e60-4fa8-11e8-bbba-738ab127bed6/section/f950f1b8-7a75-4fdd-970f-890ba1c443ae/session) - Previous topic: [4.1.5 Microorganisms in Food Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-1-5-microorganisms-in-food-production.md) - Next topic: [4.2.2 Ambient Foods & Food Labels](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-2-2-ambient-foods-and-food-labels.md) ## Food Preparation & Nutrition: AQA GCSE contents ### 1 Food Preparation Skills - 1.1 Food Preparation Skills - [1.1.1 General Practical Skills](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-1-general-practical-skills.md) - [1.1.2 Knife Skills](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-2-knife-skills.md) - [1.1.3 Preparing Fruit, Vegetables & Using Equipment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-3-preparing-fruit-vegetables-and-using-equipment.md) - [1.1.4 Cooking Methods: Prepare, Shape & Combine](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-4-cooking-methods-prepare-shape-and-combine.md) - [1.1.5 Sauce Making, Tenderising & Marinating](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-5-sauce-making-tenderising-and-marinating.md) - [1.1.6 Dough & Pastry](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-6-dough-and-pastry.md) - [1.1.7 Shaping & Finishing Dough](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-7-shaping-and-finishing-dough.md) - [1.1.8 Raising Agents & Mixtures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-8-raising-agents-and-mixtures.md) - [1.1.9 End of Topic Test - Food Preparation Skills 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/1-1-9-end-of-topic-test-food-preparation-skills-1.md) ### 2 Food, Nutrition & Health - 2.1 Macronutrients - [2.1.1 Proteins](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-1-1-proteins.md) - [2.1.2 Proteins 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-1-2-proteins-2.md) - [2.1.3 Fats](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-1-3-fats.md) - [2.1.4 Carbohydrates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-1-4-carbohydrates.md) - [2.1.5 Carbohydrates 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-1-5-carbohydrates-2.md) - 2.2 Micronutrients - [2.2.1 Fat-Soluble Vitamins](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-2-1-fat-soluble-vitamins.md) - [2.2.2 Water-Soluble Vitamins](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-2-2-water-soluble-vitamins.md) - [2.2.3 Minerals & Water](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-2-3-minerals-and-water.md) - [2.2.4 Minerals & Water 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-2-4-minerals-and-water-2.md) - [2.2.5 End of Topic Test - Macro & Micronutrients](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-2-5-end-of-topic-test-macro-and-micronutrients.md) - 2.3 Nutritional Needs & Health - [2.3.1 Informed Choices for a Balanced Diet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-1-informed-choices-for-a-balanced-diet.md) - [2.3.2 Informed Choices for a Balanced Diet 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-2-informed-choices-for-a-balanced-diet-2.md) - [2.3.3 Energy Needs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-3-energy-needs.md) - [2.3.4 Nutritional Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-4-nutritional-analysis.md) - [2.3.5 Diet Modifications](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-5-diet-modifications.md) - [2.3.6 Diet-Related Problems](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-6-diet-related-problems.md) - [2.3.7 Diet-Related Problems 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-7-diet-related-problems-2.md) - [2.3.8 End of Topic Test - Nutritional Needs & Health](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/2-3-8-end-of-topic-test-nutritional-needs-and-health.md) ### 3 Food Science - 3.1 Cooking of Food & Heat Transfer - [3.1.1 Reasons for Cooking & Heat Transfer](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-1-1-reasons-for-cooking-and-heat-transfer.md) - [3.1.2 Water-Based Cooking Methods](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-1-2-water-based-cooking-methods.md) - [3.1.3 Fat-Based Cooking Methods](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-1-3-fat-based-cooking-methods.md) - [3.1.4 Dry Cooking Methods](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-1-4-dry-cooking-methods.md) - [3.1.5 Dry Cooking Methods 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-1-5-dry-cooking-methods-2.md) - 3.2 Functional & Chemical Properties of Food - [3.2.1 Proteins & Carbohydrates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-2-1-proteins-and-carbohydrates.md) - [3.2.2 Fats & Oils](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-2-2-fats-and-oils.md) - [3.2.3 Raising Agents](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-2-3-raising-agents.md) - [3.2.4 End of Topic Test - Food Science](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/3-2-4-end-of-topic-test-food-science.md) ### 4 Food Safety - 4.1 Food Spoilage & Contamination - [4.1.1 Microorganisms & Signs of Food Spoilage](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-1-1-microorganisms-and-signs-of-food-spoilage.md) - [4.1.2 Enzymes & Signs of Food Spoilage](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-1-2-enzymes-and-signs-of-food-spoilage.md) - [4.1.3 Food Poisoning](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-1-3-food-poisoning.md) - [4.1.4 Bacterial Contamination](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-1-4-bacterial-contamination.md) - [4.1.5 Microorganisms in Food Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-1-5-microorganisms-in-food-production.md) - 4.2 Principles of Food Safety - [4.2.1 Temperature Control](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-2-1-temperature-control.md) - [4.2.2 Ambient Foods & Food Labels](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-2-2-ambient-foods-and-food-labels.md) - [4.2.3 Preparing, Cooking & Serving Food](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-2-3-preparing-cooking-and-serving-food.md) - [4.2.4 End of Topic Test - Food Safety](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/4-2-4-end-of-topic-test-food-safety.md) ### 5 Food Choice - 5.1 Factors Affecting Food Choice - [5.1.1 Factors Which Influence Food Choice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-1-factors-which-influence-food-choice.md) - [5.1.2 Food Choices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-2-food-choices.md) - [5.1.3 Religious Food Choices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-3-religious-food-choices.md) - [5.1.4 Food Labels](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-4-food-labels.md) - [5.1.5 Mandatory Food Labels](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-5-mandatory-food-labels.md) - [5.1.6 Optional Food Labels](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-6-optional-food-labels.md) - [5.1.7 Marketing Influences](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-7-marketing-influences.md) - [5.1.8 End of Topic Test - Food Choice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-1-8-end-of-topic-test-food-choice.md) - 5.2 British & International Cuisines - [5.2.1 British Cuisine](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-2-1-british-cuisine.md) - [5.2.2 Japanese Cuisine](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-2-2-japanese-cuisine.md) - [5.2.3 Japanese Ingredients & Dishes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-2-3-japanese-ingredients-and-dishes.md) - [5.2.4 Spanish Cuisine](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-2-4-spanish-cuisine.md) - [5.2.5 Spanish Ingredients & Dishes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-2-5-spanish-ingredients-and-dishes.md) - 5.3 Sensory Evaluation - [5.3.1 Taste Receptors & Olfactory Systems](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-3-1-taste-receptors-and-olfactory-systems.md) - [5.3.2 Sensory Testing Methods](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-3-2-sensory-testing-methods.md) - [5.3.3 Sensory Testing Methods 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-3-3-sensory-testing-methods-2.md) - [5.3.4 End of Topic Test - Cuisines & Senses](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/5-3-4-end-of-topic-test-cuisines-and-senses.md) ### 6 Food Provenance - 6.1 Environmental Impact & Sustainability of Food - [6.1.1 Food Sources - Intensive & Organic Farming](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-1-food-sources-intensive-and-organic-farming.md) - [6.1.2 Food Sources - Genetically Modified Crops](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-2-food-sources-genetically-modified-crops.md) - [6.1.3 Food Sources - Reared Food](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-3-food-sources-reared-food.md) - [6.1.4 Food Sources - Caught Food](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-4-food-sources-caught-food.md) - [6.1.5 Food & The Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-5-food-and-the-environment.md) - [6.1.6 Food & The Environment 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-6-food-and-the-environment-2.md) - [6.1.7 Sustainability of Food](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-7-sustainability-of-food.md) - [6.1.8 Sustainability of Food 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-8-sustainability-of-food-2.md) - [6.1.9 End of Topic Test - Environmental Impacts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-1-9-end-of-topic-test-environmental-impacts.md) - 6.2 Food Processing & Production - [6.2.1 Primary Food Processing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-2-1-primary-food-processing.md) - [6.2.2 Primary Food Processing 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-2-2-primary-food-processing-2.md) - [6.2.3 Secondary Food Processing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-2-3-secondary-food-processing.md) - [6.2.4 Fortification](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-2-4-fortification.md) - [6.2.5 Additives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-2-5-additives.md) - [6.2.6 End of Topic Test - Food Processing & Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/food-preparation/aqa/6-2-6-end-of-topic-test-food-processing-and-production.md)