What is the maximum additional time allowed to cool TCS food from 70 °F to 41 °F or lower?

Prepare for the SafeMark Test with a variety of questions and answers. Study effectively with explanations and hints designed to assist you in your journey towards certification. Ace your exam with our comprehensive resources!

Multiple Choice

What is the maximum additional time allowed to cool TCS food from 70 °F to 41 °F or lower?

Explanation:
Cooling TCS foods is controlled in two stages to prevent bacterial growth. The first stage, dropping from a hot temperature down to 70°F, must happen quickly—within two hours. After that, you have a longer, separate window to bring the temperature from 70°F down to 41°F or lower, which is four additional hours. Therefore, the maximum time allowed to cool from 70°F to 41°F or lower is four hours. This also means the total time to cool from 135°F to 41°F should not exceed six hours. In practice, use shallow pans, ice baths or a blast chiller, frequent stirring, and accurate thermometer checks to meet these limits.

Cooling TCS foods is controlled in two stages to prevent bacterial growth. The first stage, dropping from a hot temperature down to 70°F, must happen quickly—within two hours. After that, you have a longer, separate window to bring the temperature from 70°F down to 41°F or lower, which is four additional hours. Therefore, the maximum time allowed to cool from 70°F to 41°F or lower is four hours. This also means the total time to cool from 135°F to 41°F should not exceed six hours. In practice, use shallow pans, ice baths or a blast chiller, frequent stirring, and accurate thermometer checks to meet these limits.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy