Cruisin' For A Temperature
This is the maximum internal receiving temperature allowed for cold TCS foods in general.
What is 41°F?
This mandatory, signed document must be obtained from the delivery driver before they leave to credit your account for rejected food.
What is a credit memo?
All food must be purchased from these vendors, which are inspected by regulatory agencies and comply with applicable laws.
What are approved, reputable suppliers?
Fresh fish accepted at receiving should have flesh with this physical texture characteristic that allows it to bounce back when pressed.
What is firm or elastic?
Fresh fish must be rejected if its gills are this color instead of bright red or pink.
What is dull gray (or brown)?
Hot TCS foods delivered to your restaurant must arrive at or above this temperature.
What is 135°?
To check the temperature of ROP or vacuum-sealed foods, you place the thermometer probe here without puncturing the package.
What is between two packages?
Unlike quality-focused grading stamps, this mandatory federal or state stamp proves product and facility safety standards were met.
What is a USDA/State Inspection stamp?
Fresh beef delivered to your back door should be accepted if it exhibits this bright color (unless vacuum-packed).
What is bright cherry-red?
Raw poultry cases must be rejected immediately if you spot dark wing tips or purple/green discoloration in these areas.
What are the joints (or neck/wing tips)?
Milk, shucked shellfish, and live shellfish can be received at 45°, but must be cooled to this temperature within 4 hours.
41°
To check the internal temperature of a fresh salmon fillet or whole chicken breast, you must insert the thermometer probe into this area.
What is the thickest part of the food?
This voluntary stamp rates the culinary quality and marbling of meat rather than its safety and wholesomeness.
What is a Grading stamp?
Live crustaceans, such as lobsters and crabs, must show this physical movement when picked up to prove vitality and freshness.
What is a tail curl (or active movement)?
Fresh fish must be rejected if it gives off a strong scent of this chemical compound, signaling chemical breakdown.
What is ammonia?
Shell eggs are an exception to standard cold food receiving rules, as they are measured by this type of temperature at 45° or lower.
What is ambient air temperature?
Recalled food items isolated in a secure location must be clearly marked with these two specific command phrases on the tag.
DO NOT USE
Shellstock identification tags must remain attached to containers of live shellfish until used, and then kept on file for this many days.
90
Whole fresh fish and raw poultry must be delivered packed on this specific arrangement of ice to prevent stagnant water buildup.
What is self-draining crushed ice?
Unlike whole uncut produce, cut produce like melons, tomatoes, and leafy greens must be rejected if received above this temperature.
What is 41°F?
The presence of large ice crystals or liquid stains on boxes of frozen food requires rejection because it indicates this process occurred.
What is thawing and refreezing?
This term describes off-hour deliveries where approved vendors place items directly into temperature-controlled storage without staff present.
Key Drop Delivery
The 90-day retention clock for a shellstock tag begins on this exact event date.
What is the date the last shellfish from that container is served or sold?
An open, live clam or mussel shell can still be accepted if it performs this action when tapped firmly on the counter.
What is snapping shut?
Meat must be rejected if the outer texture exhibits any of these three tactile warning signs.
What is slimy, sticky, or gummy?