How often should food thermometers be calibrated?

Calibrating food thermometers before each use is essential for ensuring accurate temperature readings, which are critical for food safety. This practice helps verify that the thermometer is providing precise measurements, which can prevent the risk of serving undercooked food that may harbor harmful pathogens. Since cooking and holding food at the correct temperatures is vital to avoid foodborne illnesses, checking the calibration regularly—ideally before each use—ensures that you can trust the readings throughout different cooking scenarios.

This process is particularly important in environments where temperatures can fluctuate, or where the thermometer may have been dropped or mishandled. By instituting this practice, food safety professionals can maintain high standards in food preparation and service, thereby enhancing overall food safety for consumers.