Safe Cooking Temperatures
This is a guide to the core temperatures meat needs to reach for different degrees of cooking, from rare to well done – remember that it will rise by 6 to 8 degrees when left to rest in a warm place.
Beef or Lamb
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Rare
Temperature out of the oven or grill : 48–52°C - Temperature after resting in a warm place: 55–60°C
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Medium rare
Temperature out of the oven or grill : 55–59°C - Temperature after resting in a warm place: 61–65°C
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Medium
Temperature out of the oven: 60–66°C - Temperature after resting in a warm place: 66–70°C
-
Well done
Temperature out of the oven: 67–71°C - Temperature after resting in a warm place: 71–75°C
Pork (pork loin, pork chops,ribs)
Piece and Whole cuts
Temperature out of the oven or grill : 65°C - Temperature after resting in a warm place: 70-80°C
Poultry (chicken, turkey, duck)
- Well Done
Temperature out of the oven or grill : 65°C - Temperature after resting in a warm place: 75°C
Seafood (fish, shellfish)
- Fish
Temperature out of the oven or pan or grill: 70°C
- Shellfish
Temperature out of the oven or pan or grill: 74°C
Cleaning and preparation
- Clean your food thermometer in warm, soapy water before each use.
- Always wash your hands before and after you touch raw meat.
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds, or with an alcohol-based hand rub.
- If you've used a plate or utensils to handle raw food, don't use them again until you've washed them thoroughly.
- Use separate cutting boards for produce and raw meat.
- Use paper towels to wipe kitchen surfaces, or change dishcloths daily. Avoid using sponges, as they are harder to keep bacteria-free.
- Sanitize countertops, cutting boards, and utensils before and after preparing food.
- Keep cold food cold and hot food hot, so that your food never reaches the "temperature danger zone" where bacteria can grow quickly and cause food poisoning.