Department of Health Food Safety: Home (2024)

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  2. Topic: Cooling food safely

Cooling food safely

Food handling

Food that has just been cooked or taken out of the oven to cool should be cooled as quickly as possible to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Hot food cannot be put directly into the fridge after cooking.

Putting hot food into a fridge may cause the fridge temperature to increase above 5 °C.

If the fridge temperature goes above 5 °C all other food stored in the fridge is at risk of growing bacteria.

You need to know the right time to put away food once it has been cooked.

Rules for cooling food

To make sure that food is cooled quickly you should:

  • stir cooked foods frequently to help the food cool
  • take food out of the larger container you cooked it in and carefully put it into smaller containers so it will cool quicker
  • monitor the temperature using a clean and sanitised thermometer
  • allow cool air to circulate around the containers of food to be cooled.

Food must be cooled to21 °C withintwo hours.

Department of Health Food Safety: Home (1)

Storage of cooled food

  • once food has cooled to 21 °C it must be put in the fridge, cool room or freezer to cool to below 5 °C in the next four hours
  • when food stops giving off steam it can be placed in cold storage
  • cover and mark containers with the food type, the time and the date, before putting in the cool room, fridge or freezer
  • cool on racks and not on the floor of a cool room
  • check that the temperature inside the fridge is below 5 °C while cooling food.

Once cooked food has cooled down it should not be left out of the fridge for any longer than two hours.

For example, if the cooled cooked food is to be used over the service period, it can be left out for two hours and portions heated to serving temperature as required. Any unused food can then be put into the fridge to be used later.

However, if the cooled cooked food is left outfor longer than four hours it must be discarded.

Department of Health Food Safety: Home (2)

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Department of Health Food Safety: Home (2024)

FAQs

Can I sell food from home in NJ? ›

Getting started in New Jersey

New Jersey cottage food producers must register on the state health department's website, pay $100 for a two-year permit, obtain a food protection manager certificate, and provide a copy of the most recent water bill for the location of the cottage food kitchen.

Do I need a license to sell food from my home in NY? ›

Getting started in New York

New York cottage food producers must register with the state for a “Home Processor Exemption” from Article 20-C, which governs the licensing of food processing establishments. If water comes from a private source, then applicants must pay for water testing.

What is home food safety? ›

In every step of food preparation, follow the four guidelines to keep food safe: Clean—Wash hands and surfaces often. Separate—Don't cross-contaminate. Cook—Cook to proper temperatures, checking with a food thermometer. Chill—Refrigerate promptly.

How much does it cost to get a food handler license in NJ? ›

PRICE BREAKS - The more you buy, the more you save
Quantity1+5+
Price$10.00$8.75

Can I start a catering business at home in NJ? ›

Commercial Kitchen: A Catering business must use a "commercial kitchen," or a kitchen that has been approved and inspected by the Department of health for all food preparation. A Caterer may not use a residential kitchen for any food preparation.

Can you sell homemade cupcakes? ›

Yes, but with the caveat that you may need a license to do so in your area. If you want to know more about how to sell cupcakes from home locally, you should talk to the local government agency that offers business licensing or the local health authority.

Can you sell homemade cookies on the street? ›

Yes, baked goods made in a home kitchen can be sold at bake sales in California, as long as they meet the health and safety standards set by the local health department. It`s important to ensure proper food handling and storage practices to maintain food safety.

What is a foodservice establishment? ›

Food Service Establishment means a place where food and drink are prepared for direct consumption. This could be a variety of places such as restaurants, coffee shops, sandwich shops, theaters and more.

What are 4 types of food safety? ›

There are four different types of food safety hazard, which are:
  • Biological.
  • Chemical.
  • Physical.
  • Allergenic.
Apr 22, 2021

What are the 4 rules of food safety? ›

You can help keep your family safe from food poisoning at home by following these four simple steps: clean, separate, cook and, chill.

What are the 5 examples of food safety? ›

separate raw and cooked; cook thoroughly; keep food at safe temperatures; and. use safe water and raw materials.

Do you need a permit to sell food in New Jersey? ›

Food Seller's Permit, or New Jersey Seller's Permit

All businesses looking to sell tangible goods subject to sales tax need to obtain a seller's permit, including restaurants. Seller's permits allow them to charge sales tax on their food.

Is ServSafe required in New Jersey? ›

ServSafe Food Safety Manager Training and Certification is required by law in the state of New Jersey. Currently, the state law requires that at least one person per establishment be ServSafe Food Safety Manager-certified. Classes are taught in one day—you take both the class and the exam in the same day.

Does NJ have a cottage food law? ›

New rules creating a cottage food operator (home baker) permit became effective as of October 4, 2021. Apply for a Cottage Food Operator's Permit to make non-TCS food in your home for sale directly to the consumer.

How much is a food license in NJ? ›

How much does a food facility health permit cost?
License NameCostLink
Food Service License$10-$15New Jersey Food Handler License Requirements

How to get a food vendor license in NJ? ›

Start applying: Download the food vendors license application form from the New Jersey Health Department website. The form typically requires information like your name, business name and address, type of food you'll be selling, and the venues where you'll be selling.

What are non TCS foods examples? ›

On the other hand, some foods are not considered TCS foods. These are dry goods or foods that have low water activity, acid content, or pH level, making them less likely to harbor bacterial growth. Some examples of non-TCS foods include bread, chips, candy, dried beans, uncooked rice, and powdered milk.

What are tcs foods? ›

Examples of TCS food

Food from animal origin that is raw, cooked or partially cooked, such as eggs, milk, meat or poultry. Food from plant origin that is cooked such as rice, potatoes and pasta. Food from plant origin such as raw seed sprouts, cut melons, cut tomatoes and cut leafy greens.

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