Ontario Food Handler Certification Practice Exam

What temperature should frozen foods be stored at?

1. -10°C

2. -15°C

3. -18°C or less

4. -20°C

The correct answer is: -18°C or less

Frozen foods should be stored at -18°C or less to maintain their quality and ensure food safety. This temperature is crucial because it effectively inhibits microbial growth and enzymatic reactions that can lead to food spoilage. At -18°C, the food remains frozen solid, helping to preserve texture, nutritional value, and taste over extended periods. The other temperatures mentioned, while they might keep food cold, do not offer the same level of assurance for long-term preservation as -18°C. Storing frozen foods at any temperature higher than -18°C may result in freezer burn or loss of quality, and could also increase the risk of harmful bacteria beginning to grow, especially in terms of thawing and refreezing cycles.