How often should food thermometers be calibrated?

Calibrating food thermometers before each use or at least once a day is essential for ensuring accurate temperature readings, which are critical for food safety. Calibration is the process of adjusting the thermometer to ensure it provides accurate temperature measurements. This practice is particularly important in food handling, where precise temperatures are necessary to prevent foodborne illness caused by undercooked or improperly stored food.

When thermometers are consistently calibrated before use, it helps in maintaining their reliability, allowing food handlers to trust the readings they obtain during cooking, cooling, and storing food. Regular calibration takes into account any potential shifts in accuracy that can occur due to temperature changes, physical impact, or aging components of the thermometer. By establishing this routine, food handlers can ensure that they are serving safe food, minimizing the risk of foodborne pathogens that thrive at unsafe temperatures.