We have summarised the Food Hygiene Regulations in relation to temperature below.
When choosing a thermometer to comply with these regulations it is worth remembering that not all thermometers offer sufficient accuracy to be relied on for food temperature measurement. Even if you get a digital thermometer that will display to 0.1C it may only be accurate to 1 or 2 degrees C. As a footnote to this point, all Hanna food thermometers meet or exceed the accuracy requriements of the regulations.
The information here is to do with the particular impact the food regulations have on taking and recording food temperatures. The regulations with regard to food temperature have evolved since the orignial legislation, below is a summary of the basics of what is now common practise within the food industry:-
1. Temperatures are generally taken and noted down 3 times a day for food that is being stored in chilled display cabinets.
2. Thermometers should have an accuracy of at least +/-0.5 degrees C.
3. Thermometers should have a display resolution of 0.1 degrees C - it's worth noting that just because your digital thermometer reads to 0.1 doesn't mean it is accurate - it might only have an accuracy of 1 or 2 whole degrees C, which is pretty pointless if you are relying on it to comply with the regulations.
4. Chilled food should be stored between 0 and +8 degrees C.
