#824 Operation & Care Manual • 4.
HOLDING GUIDELINE
Chefs, cooks and other specialized food service personnel employ
varied methods of cooking. Proper holding temperatures for a specific
food product must be based on the moisture content of the product,
product density, volume, and proper serving temperatures. Safe
holding temperatures must also be correlated with palatability in
determining the length of holding time for a specific product.
Halo Heat maintains the maximum amount of product moisture
content without the addition of water, water vapor, or steam.
Maintaining maximum natural product moisture preserves the natural
flavor of the product and provides a more genuine taste. In addition to
product moisture retention, the gentle properties of Halo Heat
maintain a consistent temperature throughout the cabinet without the
necessity of a heat distribution fan, thereby preventing further moisture
loss due to evaporation or dehydration.
In an enclosed holding environment, too much moisture content
is a condition which can be relieved. A product achieving extremely
high temperatures in preparation must be allowed to decrease in
temperature before being placed in a controlled holding atmosphere. If
the product is not allowed to decrease in temperature, excessive
condensation will form increasing the moisture content on the outside
of the product.
HOLDING TEMPERATURE RANGE
MEAT FAHRENHEIT CELSIUS
BEEF ROAST — Rare 140°F 60°C
BEEF ROAST — Med/Well Done 160°F 71°C
BEEF BRISKET 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
CORN BEEF 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
PASTRAMI 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
PRIME RIB — Rare 140°F 60°C
STEAKS — Broiled/Fried 140° — 160°F 60° — 71°C
RIBS — Beef or Pork 160°F 71°C
VEAL 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
HAM 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
PORK 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
LAMB 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
POULTRY
CHICKEN — Fried/Baked 160°— 175° F71°— 79°C
DUCK 160°— 175° F71°— 79°C
TURKEY 160°— 175° F71°— 79°C
GENERAL 160°— 175° F71°— 79°C
FISH/SEAFOOD
FISH — Baked/Fried 160°— 175° F71°— 79°C
LOBSTER 160°— 175° F71°— 79°C
SHRIMP — Fried 160°— 175° F71°— 79°C
BAKED GOODS
BREADS/ROLLS 120°— 140° F49°— 60°C
MISCELLANEOUS
CASSEROLES 160°— 175° F71°— 79°C
DOUGH — Proofing 80°— 100°F27°— 38° C
EGGS —Fried 150°— 160°F66°— 71°C
FROZEN ENTREES 160°— 175°F71°— 79°C
HORS D'OEUVRES 160°— 180°F71°— 82°C
PASTA 160°— 180°F71°— 82°C
PIZZA 160°— 180°F71°— 82°C
POTATOES 180°F82°C
PLATED MEALS 180°F82°C
SAUCES 140°— 200° F60°— 93°C
SOUP 140°— 200°F60°— 93°C
VEGETABLES 160°— 175° F71°— 79°C
THE HOLDING TEMPERATURES LISTED ARE SUGGESTED GUIDELINES ONLY
Food flavor and aroma are usually so closely related that it is
difficult, if not impossible, to separate them. There is also an
important, inseparable relationship between cleanliness and food
flavor. Cleanliness, top operating efficiency, and appearance of
equipment contribute considerably to savory, appetizing foods. Good
equipment that is kept clean, works better and lasts longer.
Most food imparts its own particular aroma and many foods also
absorb existing odors. Unfortunately, during this absorption, there is
no distinction between
GOOD and BAD odors. The majority of
objectionable flavors and odors troubling food service operations are
caused by bacteria growth. Sourness, rancidity, mustiness, stale or
other
OFF flavors are usually the result of germ activity.
The easiest way to insure full, natural food flavor is through
comprehensive cleanliness. This means good control of both visible
soil (dirt) and invisible soil (germs). A thorough approach to
sanitation will provide essential cleanliness. It will assure an attractive
appearance of equipment, along with maximum efficiency and utility.
More importantly, a good sanitation program provides one of the key
elements in the prevention of food-borne illnesses.
A controlled holding environment for prepared foods is just one
of the important factors involved in the prevention of food-borne
illnesses. Temperature monitoring and control during receiving,
storage, preparation, and the service of foods are of equal importance.
The most accurate method of measuring safe temperatures of both
hot and cold foods is by internal product temperature. A quality
thermometer is an
effective tool for this
purpose, and should
be routinely used on
all products that
require holding at a
specific temperature.
A comprehensive
sanitation program
should focus on the
training of staff in
basic sanitation
procedures. This includes personal hygiene, proper handling of raw
foods, cooking to a safe internal product temperature, and the routine
monitoring of internal temperatures from receiving through service.
Most food-borne illnesses can be prevented through proper
temperature control and a comprehensive program of sanitation. Both
these factors are important to build quality service as the foundation of
customer satisfaction. Safe food handling practices to prevent foodborne illness is of critical importance to the health and safety of your
customers. HACCP, an acronym for Hazard Analysis (at) Critical
Control Points, is a quality control program of operating procedures to
assure food integrity, quality, and safety. Taking steps necessary to
augment food safety practices are both cost effective and relatively
simple. While HACCP guidelines go far beyond the scope of this
manual, additional information is available by contacting the
USDA/FDA Food-borne Illness Education Information Center at
(301)504-6803.
INTERNAL FOOD PRODUCT TEMPERATURES
HOT FOODS
DANGER ZONE 40° TO 140°F(4° TO 60°C)
CRITICAL ZONE70° TO 120° F(21° TO 49° C)
SAFE ZONE 140° TO 165° F (60° TO 74° C)
COLD FOODS
DANGER ZONE ABOVE 40°F (ABOVE 4°C)
SAFE ZONE 36°F TO 40° F(2°C TO 4° C)
FROZEN FOODS
DANGER ZONE ABOVE 32°F (ABOVE 0°C)
CRITICAL ZONE0° TO 32° F(-18° TO 0°C)
SAFE ZONE 0 °F OR BELOW (-18°C OR BELOW)
SANITATION GUIDELINE