Food safety
Use the two-hour/four-hour rule
Count cumulative time at 4–60°C: under two hours, eat or refrigerate; two to four hours, eat immediately; over four hours, discard.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-22
Why it matters
Germs can multiply quickly in the danger zone and the time is cumulative.
Wrong action
Unsafe: Refrigerating food after three hours at room temperature for use tomorrow.
Correct action
Count cumulative time at 4–60°C: under two hours, eat or refrigerate; two to four hours, eat immediately; over four hours, discard.
What to do
- Check the area, equipment, and household arrangement before starting.
- Count cumulative time at 4–60°C: under two hours, eat or refrigerate; two to four hours, eat immediately; over four hours, discard.
- Stop and tell the employer if the situation is unsafe or unclear.
If something happens
For serious injury, unconsciousness, breathing difficulty, or immediate danger, call 999 and keep yourself safe first.
Sources and review
- Centre for Food Safety — Temperature Danger Zone and Two-hour/Four-hour Rule
Last reviewed: 2026-08-22
This page provides general home-safety information and does not replace medical, legal, electrical, or other professional advice.
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