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Food Safety: Serving

Topic Overview

You can help prevent food poisoning by taking precautions when serving food.

  • Keep hot foods hot [140°F (60°C) or above] and cold foods cold [40°F (4°C) or below].
  • Never leave meat, poultry, eggs, fish, or shellfish (raw or cooked) at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour in hot weather).
  • Chill leftovers as soon as you finish eating.
  • Store leftovers in small, shallow containers to cool rapidly.
  • Do not reheat food that is contaminated. Reheating does not make it safe.
  • If you are not sure how long a food has been in the refrigerator, throw it out.
  • If you are not sure whether a food is safe, throw it out.

When you eat out, be sure that meat is cooked thoroughly and that foods that should be refrigerated, such as puddings and cold cuts, are served cold. Also pay attention to the restaurant environment. If the tables, dinnerware, and restrooms look dirty, the kitchen may be too.

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Last Revised February 8, 2011

Last Revised: February 8, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease

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