Essential Food Thermometer Guide For Safe Food Handling

 Flawless implementation of safe food handling measures protects public health. The public does not have to face food-borne illnesses. It helps the public maintain trust in local/provincial/national food systems. Focus on food quality, customers’ trust, easy compliance with regulations, reduced economic cost, and customers' trust are benefits for food businesses.  

Various factors contribute to effectively implementing safe food handling measures, which play a major role in protecting public health. The following is not an exhaustive list of those:

• Proper use of a thermometer.

• Cooking and cooling foods.

• Safe food handling practices.

• Housekeeping and sanitation.

• Time and temperature controls.

• Allergies and allergens.

• Personal hygiene.

• Proper food storage.

• Introduction to HACCP.

• Microbiology, growth of microorganisms, and related food health concerns.

The point we will discuss here is the proper use of a thermometer. You will learn about its types, ways to use it, and its importance. Let’s begin the discussion:

Why Is Proper Use Of Thermometer Important For Safe Food Handling? 

Internal food temperature determines the quality of cooking. It is the only way to check the internal temperature of any food item. Those who have completed their food handler certification course understand it. 

It is important to determine the appropriate cooking temperature of food items. It kills Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, harmful bacteria in uncooked, undercooked and overcooked foods.  As a result, the public remains safe from food-borne health issues. 

There are different internal cooking temperatures for all food items. All HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) experts understand it. Another important thing they know is the value of proper food storage temperature-related knowledge. 

Those who know about it manage to store food properly for consumption later. Things mentioned below determine these temperatures:

• The way food is cooked. 

• The way food is cut.

• The way food is packaged. 

The right type of food thermometer is essential to determine proper food storage temperature. Different types of food thermometers are used for all food items. Therefore, choose the correct food thermometer. 

Types of Food Thermometer:

Those who have completed their food handler certification course know there are different types of food thermometers. For example:

• Digital food thermometers.

• Analoog food thermometers.

• Single-use food thermometers.

• Food thermometers are designed specifically for certain foods. 

• Meat and poultry thermometers. 

• Candy thermometers. 

These are different types of food thermometer categories. There are different types of food thermometers under these categories. Take a look below: 

• Digital Food Thermometers:

Infrared thermometers, thermocouple thermometers, and probe thermometers are digital food thermometers. Most hotels, eateries, canteens, motels, and restaurants prefer these thermometers. All the best food handler certification courses in Canada teach about such food thermometers. 

• Analoog Food Thermometers:

Bimetallic-coil Thermometers and liquid-filled Thermometers are analog food thermometers. Home cooks, professional chefs, bakers, food safety inspectors, and catering services prefer these food thermometers. A food handler certification course in Canada is the best way to learn about such food thermometers. 

• Single Use Food Thermometers:

A pop-up timer used by home cooks, catering services, food manufacturers, food packaging companies, event planners, or banquet services is called a single-use food thermometer. 

• Food Thermometers Designed Specifically For Certain Foods:

Candy thermometers and refrigerator/freezer thermometers are specifically designed for certain foods. Home bakers, professional chefs, pastry chefs, and catering services prefer candy thermometers.

Homeowners, food safety inspectors, restaurants and catering services, restaurants, catering services, grocery stores, supermarkets, and medical facilities refrigerator/freezer thermometers for food safety. 

But how? You understand it once you enroll in a safe food handling course. 

• Meat And Poultry Thermometers:

Probe thermometers and meat-specific models fall in this category. All home cooks, professional chefs, grillers, barbeque enthusiasts, butchers, meat processors, catering services, food safety inspectors, food manufacturers, and outdoor cooks use these thermometers. 

All these food thermometers are used to ensure the following:

• Appropriate food temperature range.

• Accurate internal temperature reading of food.

• Accurate internal temperature recording of food. 

• Fast and accurate results. 

 All food thermometers have to be calibrated before use. All food thermometers have to be calibrated. 

Food Thermometer Calibration Is Important For Many Reasons:

All reputed food handler certification course providers in Canada particularly focus on the importance of food thermometer calibration. There are several reasons for this. For example:

• For accurate internal temperature readings and recording of food.

• To avoid repercussions.

• To avoid safe food handling issues. 

• To ensure food business operations’ effectiveness. 

When And How Often To Calibrate A Food Thermometer?

All instruments hit the market with some recommendations. Instrument calibration instructions are an important part of those documented recommendations. The implementation of those recommendations/instructions ensures accurate results and safe use.

All reputed and experienced safe food handling experts suggest calibration of the food thermometer before use. It cannot be possible every time and everywhere. However, mentioned are some instances when you must value food thermometer calibration: 

• If your food thermometer got partially damaged due to a fall. 

• If you have recently used your food thermometer to measure extremely cold food and you are now going to use it to measure extremely hot substances.

• If your food thermometer is new. 

• If you have not used your food thermometer for several weeks, months, or years. 

• Always calibrate your food thermometer before every use if you want to use it multiple times a day. 

• If you notice out-of-the-ordinary food temperature readings and recording. 

• If the reading or recording of internal food temperature is not similar to a measurement taken from the measurement from another instrument/food thermometer used. 

• If your food thermometer does not follow a standard trend. 

Food Thermometer Calibration Process:

Every food thermometer is calibrated using a specific method. Manufacturers hit the market with specific calibration instructions. 

You must follow those instructions to calibrate your food thermometer easily and properly. Following these instructions will help you establish/re-establish accurately. 

However, those who have completed their food handling certification course successfully suggest the use of the following two methods for food thermometer calibration:

• Testing Against Known Temperatures:

You can use something with a known temperature. You can do anything like a familiar substance, boiling water, or ice water. Measure the temperature using the thermometer. Finally, adjust the temperature to match the correct temperature. 

 Verification With Already Calibrated Food Thermometer:

Record the temperature of food items alongside another calibrated food thermometer. Adjust your food thermometer according to the output. It will be easy for you to ensure your food thermometer is within acceptable accuracy. 

Another thing that plays a crucial role in the process of calibration is the design of your food thermometer. 

There is a lot more you need to know about food thermometers and their use. You will know it once you enroll in a reputed food handler certification course in Canada. 

ActiCert provides just that. We encourage you to explore the value our course can add to your career. Call our support staff for answers to your questions. 

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