Storing Food at the

Proper Temperature
Fact Sheet
Here are some recommended temperature

Care
requirements for storing food:
must be
taken to ensure
that food is stored
Product
Storage Temperature
at the proper
temperature. If not,
Fresh meat
Store at an internal temperature of
quality and safety will
41F (5C) or lower.
suffer. Food that was
Fresh poultry
Store at an internal temperature of
received frozen should be
41F (5C) or lower.
stored at temperatures that
Fresh fish
Store at an internal temperature of
will keep it frozen. While most
41F (5C) or lower.
fresh potentially hazardous
food should be stored at
Live shellfish
Store at a temperature of 45F (7C)
41F (5C) or lower, others may
or lower.
have different
Eggs
Store at an air temperature of 45F
temperature
(7C) or lower.
requirements.
Dairy
Ice cream
and frozen
yogurt
ROP food
(MAP, vacuum
packed, and
sous vide)
Canned and
dry food

Store at an internal temperature of

41F (5C) or lower.
Store at a temperature between
6F and 10F (-14C and -12C).
Store at temperatures recommended by the
manufacturer or at 41F (5C) or lower.

Store at a temperature between

50F and 70F (10C to 21C).

Reproducible for instructional use only by permission of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Not for individual sale. 2006

Storing Food at the Proper Temperature

Optional Activity 1

Whats the Temperature?

Directions: Write in the proper storage temperature for each
food item in the space provided.
1

Fresh steak

Fresh chicken

Fresh salmon

Store at an internal temperature of:

Store at an internal temperature of:

Store at an internal temperature of:

________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

Live lobster

Fresh milk

Canned soup

Store at a temperature of:

Store at an internal temperature of:

Store at a temperature between:

________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

Flour

Fresh eggs

Ice cream

Store at a temperature between:

Store at an air temperature of:

Store at a temperature between:

________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

Reproducible for instructional use only by permission of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Not for individual sale. 2006

Storing Food at the

Proper Temperature
Fact Sheet Optional
Activity Answers
1. Whats The Temperature?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Fresh steak: store at an internal temperature of 41F (5C) or lower.

Fresh chicken: store at an internal temperature of 41F (5C) or lower.
Fresh salmon: store at an internal temperature of 41F (5C) or lower.
Live lobster: store at a temperature of 45F (7C) or lower.
Fresh milk: store at an internal temperature of 41F (5C) or lower.
Canned soup: store at a temperature between 50F and 70F (10C and 21C).
Flour: store at a temperature between 50F and 70F (10C and 21C).
Fresh eggs: store at an air temperature of 45F (7C) or lower.
Ice cream: store at a temperature between 6F and 10F (-14C and -12C).

Reproducible for instructional use only by permission of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Not for individual sale. 2006