Meal Pattern Minute: The Danger Zone

When preparing meals in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, keeping foods at an appropriate safe temperature is crucial. Maintaining foods at the correct temperature prevents harmful germs from spreading and multiplying reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses. There is a specific temperature range where foods are most susceptible to bacterial growth, known as the danger zone. So, what is the danger zone? 

 Get the answer by listening in to Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, as she discusses the danger zone, provides more information about foods left at food temperature and what to do. 

 Need more information? Check out the resources below! 

• How Temperatures Affect Food 
  • Bacteria grow most rapidly in the range of temperatures between 40 ° and 140 °F, doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. This range of temperatures is often called the "Danger Zone." That's why the Meat and Poultry Hotline advises consumers to never leave food out of refrigeration over 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90 °F, food should not be left out more than 1 hour.
  • If you are traveling with cold food, bring a cooler packed with plenty of ice, frozen gel packs or another cold source. If you are cooking, use a hot campfire or portable stove. It is difficult to keep foods hot without a heat source when traveling, so it's best to cook foods before leaving home, cool them, and transport them cold.
• CACFP Food Safety Toolkit 
  • From child care centers to family child care homes to adult day care centers, the Institute of Child Nutrition has created several CACFP Food Safety Toolkits to help you maintain food safety in the kitchen.
• Use of Share Tables in Child Nutrition Programs
  • If you’re a CACFP institution using share tables, there are a few food safety rules to keep foods at their correct temperature. See guidance in the link provided.
• Safe Food Handling
  • More information on how to clean, prepare, cook, and chill foods properly can be found on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration website. Resources on page available in both English and Spanish.

Want to share this video on Facebook? Click here, and then you'll find three icons along the right side of the screen. Click on the arrow, and you'll be able to choose whether you want to share it to your feed or to a group. You can also include a short note about why this Meal Pattern Minute is so important! Click on the "Post" button when you're finished, and that's it!