Thawing Food Properly Fact Sheet - New York State Division ...

1 Thawing food ProperlyFact SheetHere are the four acceptable ways to thaw food safely:In a refrigerator. Thaw food in a refrigerator at 41 F (5 C) or lower to keepdangerous microorganisms from growing. Plan ahead when Thawing largeitems such as turkeys they can take several days to running water. Thaw food submerged under runningwater at a temperature of 70 F (21 C) or lower. The water flowmust be strong enough to wash food particles into theoverflow a microwave oven. You can safely thaw food in amicrowave oven if the food will be cooked items such as roasts or turkeys may not thaw wellin a part of the cooking process. You can thawfood as part of the cooking process.

2 For example, whenyou cook frozen hamburger patties on the grill, you thawthe hamburgers and then cook them to a minimuminternal temperature of 155 F (68 C) for 15 seconds all inone does not killmicroorganisms, but it doesslow their growth. When youthaw frozen food , parts of theouter surface warm up enoughto allow dangerousmicroorganisms to grow. Sinceit can take more than fourhours to thaw most food , it isvery important to thaw itproperly, so dangerousmicroorganisms are notallowed to grow. Reproducible for instructional use only by permission of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Not for individual sale. 2006 And the Winner Is?

3 Directions:This large frozen roast will need to be cooked twodays from now and be ready for service at 6:00 the letter of the picture that shows the bestway to thaw this Activity ACB 1 Thawing food ProperlyReproducible for instructional use only by permission of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Not for individual sale. 2006 What s Wrong withThis Picture?Directions:The picture below shows several examples ofincorrect Thawing . Circle the food items that arebeing incorrectly Activity 2 Thawing food ProperlyReproducible for instructional use only by permission of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

4 Not for individual sale. 2006 Pick a SinkDirections:Circle the letter of the picture that shows the properway to thaw this frozen turkey. AB70 F(21 C) 70 F(21 C) Optional Activity 3 Thawing food ProperlyReproducible for instructional use only by permission of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Not for individual sale. 2006 Thawing food ProperlyFact Sheet Optional ActivityAnswers1. And the Winner Is?Picture B showing the roast food in arefrigerator is the best method for Thawing thisfood item. While all three methods of Thawing arecorrect, it is best to plan ahead in the case of largefood items and use the refrigerator for Thawing .

5 Thiswill ensure the roast thaws safely and What s Wrong withThis Picture?The roast sitting on the counter and the turkey inthe pan of water are being thawed should never thaw large food items, such asroasts or turkeys, at room temperature. If you wantto thaw these types of food , you can safelysubmerge the item under running potable water at70 F (21 C) or lower; never thaw food in Pick a SinkPicture A shows the correct way to thaw thisturkey. Even though the water in the sink in pictureB is at the correct temperature, it may eventuallywarm up. Flowing water is needed to keep the itemcool and to allow food particles to wash into theoverflow F(21 C) Reproducible for instructional use only by permission of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

6 Not for individual sale. 2006