How soon should cooked poultry be refrigerated after cooking?

How soon should cooked poultry be refrigerated after cooking?

• A. Within 2 hours
• B. Within 4 hours
• C. Within 12 hours
• D. Immediately while the food is still hot or steaming

Answer: (A)

Keeping cooked poultry out of the temperature danger zone is the key idea. Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40°F and 140°F, so leaving hot, cooked poultry at room temperature gives them time to grow to dangerous levels—even if it looks fine. Refrigerate within two hours to slow that growth, and if the room is very warm (over 90°F), refrigerate within one hour. To cool quickly, divide the food into shallow containers so heat escapes more easily, or use an ice bath or fan to speed chilling. Don’t pile large portions together, and avoid keeping hot foods in the fridge in a bulky, hot state because that can raise the fridge’s temperature and affect other foods. Once the poultry has cooled to refrigeration temperatures, store it promptly and reheat thoroughly when you’re ready to eat. Also note that some toxins produced by bacteria can survive reheating, so preventing growth in the first place is essential.

Keeping cooked poultry out of the temperature danger zone is the key idea. Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40°F and 140°F, so leaving hot, cooked poultry at room temperature gives them time to grow to dangerous levels—even if it looks fine. Refrigerate within two hours to slow that growth, and if the room is very warm (over 90°F), refrigerate within one hour.

To cool quickly, divide the food into shallow containers so heat escapes more easily, or use an ice bath or fan to speed chilling. Don’t pile large portions together, and avoid keeping hot foods in the fridge in a bulky, hot state because that can raise the fridge’s temperature and affect other foods. Once the poultry has cooled to refrigeration temperatures, store it promptly and reheat thoroughly when you’re ready to eat. Also note that some toxins produced by bacteria can survive reheating, so preventing growth in the first place is essential.