How should cooked food be cooled before storage?

The best practice for cooling cooked food before storage involves the method of rapidly cooling it to 70°F (21°C) within a time frame of 2 hours and then ensuring it reaches 41°F (5°C) or lower within an additional 4 hours. This approach is important because it helps prevent the growth of bacteria that can occur when food is not cooled properly.

The two-step cooling process prevents food from lingering in the temperature danger zone, where bacteria thrive (between 41°F and 135°F or 5°C and 57°C). Rapidly cooling to 70°F within the first 2 hours limits the time from when the food is cooked to when it is refrigerated, minimizing the risk of bacterial growth. Following that, bringing the temperature down to 41°F or lower in the next 4 hours ensures the food is stored safely for future consumption.

This method aligns with food safety guidelines established by health organizations, emphasizing the importance of quick temperature reductions to maintain food safety standards and ensure that food remains safe for eating later.