Temperature of food for control of bacteria.

ºC

ºF

121.14

250

Canning temperatures for low-acid vegetables, meat, and poultry in pressure canner.

115.6

240

Canning temperature for fruits, tomatoes, and pickles in water-bath canner.

100.0

212

Cooking temperatures destroy most bacteria. Time required to kill bacteria decreases as temperature is increased.

73.9

165

Warming temperatures prevent growth but allow survival of some bacteria.

60.0

140

Some bacterial growth may occur. Many bacteria survive.

51.7

125

DANGER ZONE. Temperatures in this zone allow rapid growth of bacteria and production of toxins by some bacteria. (Do not hold foods in this temperature zone for more than 2 hours.

15.6

60

Some growth of food poisoning bacteria may occur.

4.4

40

Cold temperatures permit slow growth of some bacteria that cause spoilage.*

0

32

Freezing temperatures stop growth of bacteria, but may allow bacteria to survive. (For safety's sake, freezer should be set at 0ºF)

-17.8

0

*Do not store raw meats for more than 5 days or poultry, fish, or ground meat for more than 2 days in the refrigerator.