News and Information

In the foodservice industry, maintaining proper hygiene is paramount to prevent foodborne illnesses and ensure the safety of customers and staff. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets strict guidelines for temperature and sanitation for food establishments. This includes safe hot water temperature guidelines. Booster heaters help foodservice professionals meet these rigorous FDA standards by consistently maintaining the correct water temperature needed to comply.

Foodservice & Restaurant Hand Sink Requirements

Before handling and serving food, a commercial kitchen’s first line of defense is hand washing. It is important that foodservice employees follow a rigorous hand-washing regimen to prevent cross-contamination. According to FDA guidelines, all staff should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water. Crucially, hot water helps to effectively remove dirt and bacteria from hands, reducing the risk of spreading harmful pathogens. Hot water at the hand sink should meet temperature requirements of at least 100 degrees F.

Sanitation: A Comprehensive Approach

Maintaining a sanitary environment in commercial kitchens is essential to prevent the growth of bacteria and ensure food safety. Regular disinfection of surfaces, utensils, and equipment is critical. FDA guidelines stipulate that staff clean and sanitize equipment after each use to ensure food safety. The minimum hot water temperature for sanitizing is 160 degrees F.

Washing Dishes and Utensils: Thoroughness Matters

Properly cleaning and sanitizing dishes and utensils is a key component of food safety. For commercial dishwashers (or warewashers), foodservice establishments can choose to sanitize dishes via chemical detergents or ultra-hot water.

Chemical sanitizing dishwashers require lower temperature water to activate cleaning detergents. The optimal temperature for chemical sanitizing ranges from 120-135 degrees F, but higher temperature water works best for cutting through grease and grime.

As an alternative to chemical sanitation, utilizing very hot water temperatures for heat-sanitizing dishwashers ensures dishes are thoroughly clean and free from bacteria. To sterilize dishes, FDA code states that hot water must reach 165 degrees F during the wash cycle. During the final rinse, hot water should reach 180 degrees F. This temperature cleans the dishes effectively without encrusting any leftover food onto them.

Be mindful when setting your main kitchen hot water heater to 160 degrees F, regardless of the dishwashing option you choose. Elevated water temperatures may cause scalding and severe burns when staff use water for other reasons such as handwashing. Booster heaters, however, can control water temperature at the point of use. Thus, they play a crucial role in achieving effective and safe dishwashing.

Washing Floors: A Clean Foundation

Clean floors are not only important for presentation but also vital for maintaining a hygienic foodservice environment. Spills, dirt, and debris on the floor can contaminate food and equipment. Regular sweeping, mopping, and disinfection are necessary to keep floors clean and safe. The use of hot water from booster heaters can aid in effectively removing grease and grime, ensuring thorough cleanliness.

Booster Heaters: The Sanitation Solution

The list of fixtures that require hot water in foodservice establishments is extensive. This can be incredibly demanding on a restaurant’s hot water heater. Additionally, sanitation temperature requirements differ based on the use case.

Booster heaters are therefore an important tool in meeting FDA temperature requirements for various tasks in a foodservice establishment. They provide the necessary heat to achieve high water temperatures for effective hand washing, dishwashing, equipment cleaning, and floor washing. A versatile tool, booster heaters play an important role in removing harmful pathogens and maintaining proper food safety standards.

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Hubbell Expeditor booster heaters are the right choice for your foodservice needs. For over a century, we have delivered solutions that stand up to the rigors of even the busiest kitchens. Contact us today and experience the Hubbell difference.