Jeff Webster, Author at Safe Food For Thought

January 12, 2026January 13, 2026

Safe Food Handling in Minnesota: Beyond Expiration Dates, Critical Storage Mistakes That Put Your Business at Risk

Safe food handling in Minnesota includes storage and expiration dates.

Is your food storage protocol correct in Minnesota? — Follow us for more tips!

Effective storage goes way beyond checking dates on a carton. This guide explores structural storage errors, temperature management nuances, and specific date-marking protocols essential to protecting public health and maintaining your business’s reputation.

In a fast-paced commercial kitchen, glancing at a “use-by” date is second nature. But true compliance with Safe Food Handling in Minnesota regulations requires understanding how you store ingredients from the moment they arrive at the back door. While an expired product is a blatant violation, the most significant risks hide in how and where you store food before it spoils.

As a food safety professional, your oversight ensures convenience never compromises safety. Whether you manage a school cafeteria or a bustling restaurant, avoiding critical storage mistakes is key to preventing cross-contamination and bacterial growth. By mastering these protocols, you protect your customers and ensure your facility is always inspection-ready.

1. The "Vertical Hierarchy" and Cross-Contamination Risks

One of the most frequent violations in walk-in coolers isn’t temperature—it’s placement. “First In, First Out” (FIFO) is crucial for stock rotation, but it must never supersede the safety hierarchy based on cooking temperatures.

Safe Food Training notes that improper shelf organization compromises food safety. If you store raw animal products above ready-to-eat foods, a single drip can cause a catastrophic foodborne illness outbreak, regardless of expiration dates.

First in first out-safe food handling in Minnesota — Are you storing food correctly?

Mind the Cooking Temps: Always store foods in descending order of required internal cooking temperature. Ready-to-eat foods go at the top, followed by seafood, whole cuts of beef/pork, ground meats, and, finally, poultry.
Vertical Awareness: Never store food directly on the floor. Minnesota code requires you to keep food at least six inches off the floor to prevent contamination from cleaning chemicals, pests, and water.
Leak-Proof Storage: Place all thawing meats in deep, leak-proof containers. Relying solely on the butcher paper or plastic wrap from the supplier is a recipe for cross-contamination.

2. Why Safe Food Handling Minnesota Standards Demand Rigorous Airflow

It’s a common misconception that if the cooler thermometer reads 40°F, everything inside is safe. However, the Minnesota food-handling protocols require more than a functional compressor; they also need proper air circulation.

Overstuffing a walk-in cooler or dry storage area is a critical error. When you stack boxes against walls or push them right up to the ceiling, cold air can’t circulate effectively. This creates “hot spots” where food can linger in the Danger Zone, allowing bacteria to multiply rapidly without tripping the main thermostat.

Respect the Load Lines: In open refrigerated display cases or freezers, never stack products above the manufacturer’s load line. This disrupts the “air curtain” keeping food safe.
Spacing for Safety: Leave space between boxes and shelving units to allow cold air to circulate freely around products. If ‌air can’t reach the center of the pallet, the food in the middle may spoil.

Cooling Before Storing: Never place large pots of hot food directly into the cooler. This raises the unit’s ambient temperature, putting all other inventory at risk. Use ice wands or shallow pans to cool food rapidly first.

3. Decoding Expiration Dates and the 7-Day Rule

While the printed date on a package is important, the clock resets the moment you open it. Many storage mistakes happen because staff confuse the manufacturer’s “sell-by” date with the internal “use-by” date required for safety.

For ready-to-eat TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) foods prepared on-site or opened from a commercial package, strict date marking is non-negotiable.

The 7-Day Standard: Under the Minnesota food code, you may keep ready-to-eat TCS food for over 24 hours, for a maximum of 7 days, if it’s held at 41°F or lower. The day of preparation (or opening) counts as Day 1.
Labeling Discipline: Clearly mark every container with the food’s name and the use-by date. Ambiguity leads to waste or, worse, serving unsafe food.
Manufacturer vs. Opened Date: If a manufacturer’s expiration date is earlier than your calculated 7-day window, the manufacturer’s date takes precedence. Always use the earliest date to ensure safety.

Strengthening Your Operations in Minnesota

Eliminating these storage mistakes requires vigilance and a well-trained eye. It’s not enough to buy the right equipment; your team must understand the biology and physics behind safe food handling in Minnesota mandates.

Proper storage is the backbone of a safe kitchen. By looking beyond simple expiration dates and focusing on hierarchy, airflow, and accurate date marking, you build a defense system that keeps your community healthy.

Is your team up to date on the latest Minnesota food code requirements?

Don’t wait for an inspection to find gaps in your knowledge. Register for a personalized 8-hour licensing course or a continuing education refresher with Safe Food Training today. We offer convenient instructor-led options online and in person to help you lead with confidence.

December 28, 2025January 9, 2026

Beyond the Heat Lamp: A Certified Food Protection Manager’s Guide to Safe Hot Holding Temperatures

Maintaining safe hot holding temperatures is a critical responsibility for any Minnesota food professional. This guide outlines essential protocols for keeping food out of the “Temperature Danger Zone,” the importance of equipment monitoring, and the corrective actions required to protect public health. It emphasizes that a certified food protection manager must lead by example to ensure compliance and safety in every meal served.

Safe food handling in Minnesota — Are you hitting all the critical points in safe food handling?

In the bustle of a Minnesota kitchen, the steam table is often an afterthought. After cooking and placing the food in the warmer, people frequently assume it’s safe until it’s served. However, as any certified food protection manager knows, maintaining proper hot holding temperatures is not a passive activity—it’s an active defense against foodborne illness.

Upholding Minnesota’s food safety standards is critical for protecting public health and ensuring your business remains compliant with state law. While a heat lamp or steam table aids in this process, the equipment alone cannot guarantee safety. It requires vigilance, knowledge, and a commitment to “proper time and temperature controls” to ensure that the food you serve is as safe as it is delicious.

1. Mastering the Mechanics of Temperature Control

The primary goal of hot holding is to prevent the rapid growth of pathogens that thrive when food temperatures drop. Safe Food Training emphasizes that understanding these controls is essential to preventing foodborne illness.

When managing hot holding stations, you’re essentially fighting against the “Temperature Danger Zone” (41°F and 135°F). To win this battle, you must move beyond guesswork and rely on precision:

Internal Temperature Checks: Never rely on the holding unit’s temperature gauge. These gauges typically measure air or water temperature, not food temperature. Use a calibrated thermometer to check the product’s internal temperature.
Stirring is Safety: Heat does not always distribute evenly, especially in thick soups or casseroles. By stirring frequently, you ensure the heat distributes throughout the pan, preventing cool spots where bacteria could survive.
Cover and Protect: Using lids and covers helps retain heat and protect food from external contaminants, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

2. Why Every Certified Food Protection Manager Prioritizes Equipment Validation

Internal Temperature Checks: Never rely on the holding unit’s temperature gauge. These gauges typically measure air or water temperature, not food temperature. Use a calibrated thermometer to check the product’s internal temperature.
Stirring is Safety: Heat does not always distribute evenly, especially in thick soups or casseroles. By stirring frequently, you ensure the heat distributes throughout the pan, preventing cool spots where bacteria could survive.
Cover and Protect: Using lids and covers helps retain heat and protect food from external contaminants, helping prevent cross-contamination.

2. Why Every Certified Food Protection Manager Prioritizes Equipment Validation

Even the most expensive holding equipment can fail or drift out of calibration. A critical part of your role involves verifying that your tools are working correctly. Our training courses help you and your business effectively meet Minnesota’s essential food safety standards, including equipment requirements.

If your equipment is not maintaining the necessary 135°F (or higher) threshold, you’re putting your customers and your reputation at risk.

Preheating is Non-Negotiable: Never use hot holding equipment to reheat food. These units are designed to maintain temperature, not to raise it. Always reheat food to 165°F rapidly before placing it in the warmer.
Routine Maintenance: Schedules should be in place to check heating elements and water levels in steam tables. A proactive approach helps prevent equipment failure during peak periods.
Validation Logs: Keep a log of equipment checks. This documentation shows that you’re actively managing safety, which is vital to maintaining a trusted reputation with your customers.

Strengthening Your Credentials in Minnesota

Managing hot holding temperatures is just one aspect of a complex job. Whether you’re running a school cafeteria, a restaurant, or a catering business, staying current with your training is essential. At Safe Food Training, we specialize in personalized, 8-hour courses tailored for food professionals across Minnesota.

heat lamp hot holding temperatures — Are you handling food properly?

If your certification is nearing expiration, remember that in Minnesota, you must renew your Certified Food Protection Manager license every three years. We provide timely reminders for this renewal cycle to help you stay compliant.

Ready to refresh your knowledge or certify your team?

You can easily register for an upcoming course by visiting our website. We offer both in-person and online learning opportunities, as well as private training sessions for your entire staff. Let us help you keep your food safe and your business compliant.

December 5, 2025November 17, 2025

Is Your Eggnog a Health Hazard? Critical Checks for Safe Holiday Beverages

As the holiday season approaches, festive beverages like eggnog, mulled cider, and hot chocolate become top-sellers. But for a foodservice operation, these seemingly harmless drinks—especially eggnog—can represent one of the most significant food safety risks of the year. Providing safe holiday beverages is a non-negotiable part of your holiday service and a key responsibility for every Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM).

A single contaminated batch can have serious consequences. Recent CDC investigations into Salmonella outbreaks have identified a strong link to eggs. In one such outbreak, 92% of people interviewed reported eating eggs before becoming ill. This is a stark reminder that high-risk ingredients demand a higher standard of care.

Let’s look at the three critical checkpoints for ensuring your holiday beverages are safe and compliant.

The Primary Culprit: Salmonella and Raw Eggs

The classic “homemade” eggnog recipe is a food-safety nightmare. It calls for raw, unpasteurized eggs mixed with milk, cream, and sugar. This mixture creates an ideal environment for Salmonella Enteritidis. This bacterium can live inside normal-looking eggs.

The Risk is Real:

Salmonella can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. For vulnerable populations—including older adults, young children, and immunocompromised individuals—an infection can lead to hospitalization or worse.

The Non-Negotiable Solution:

Always use pasteurized eggs. Liquid, pasteurized eggs are the gold standard for any recipe you won’t cook to 165°F. This step eliminates the primary bacterial threat from the start.

Labeling is Key:

If you make a “cooked” eggnog base (heating the egg-milk mixture to 160°F), you must cool it properly. However, using pasteurized eggs from the beginning is the simplest and most foolproof method to ensure safety.

The Alcohol Myth: Why "Spiking" Isn't a Safety Step

A common belief is that adding alcohol (like brandy, rum, or whiskey) to eggnog “sterilizes” it and kills any harmful bacteria. This is a dangerously false assumption.

Alcohol is Not a Sanitizer:

While high-proof alcohol can have antimicrobial properties, it requires specific concentrations and significant time to be effective. The dilution in a thick, fatty beverage like eggnog renders it ineffective as a food safety control point.

Fat Protects Bacteria:

The high fat and protein content of the eggnog can act as a shield, insulating bacteria from the alcohol and allowing them to survive and multiply.

The Real Danger:

Relying on alcohol for safety can create a false sense of security. This may cause staff to become complacent about the real control: temperature.

Temperature Control: A CFPM's Best Defense

Once you prepare your eggnog (using pasteurized eggs), the game is not over. Like any dairy-based, high-protein food, eggnog is a Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) food. You must keep it out of the temperature danger zone (41°F to 135°F).

Cold Holding:

If serving eggnog cold, you must hold it at 41°F or below at all times. This includes the walk-in, the prep cooler, and the service line. Use an ice bath for buffet service and check the temperature with a calibrated thermometer frequently.

Time as a Control:

If you cannot guarantee a temperature below 41°F on a buffet, you must use Time as a Public Health Control (TAPHc). This means you must mark the eggnog with a 4-hour discard time and throw it away after that period.

Hot Beverages:

The same rules apply to hot drinks like mulled cider or hot chocolate. If you are hot-holding them for service, you must maintain a temperature of 135°F or higher. Never let them sit “lukewarm” in a pot on the stove.

As a CFPM, your team looks to you to set the standard. These festive beverages are high-risk, but you can manage them safely with the right protocols and a well-trained staff.

Protect Your Patrons with Expert Training

Don’t let a food safety mistake ruin a customer’s holiday. Ensuring your entire team understands the “why” behind these rules is the best way to guarantee you serve safe holiday beverages.

Safe Food Training provides the expert-led courses you need. Jeff Webster offers personalized, instructor-led options for the full 8-hour Certified Food Protection Manager course or the 3-year continuing education renewal. We make complex food safety principles clear and practical for your Minnesota-based team.

Visit our website today to book your upcoming training and keep your holiday service safe and successful.

November 18, 2025November 23, 2025

When the Supply Chain Fails: The Peach Recall and Why Every Certified Food Protection Manager Must Pay Attention

As a Minnesota food safety professional, my usual focus is on in-house standards like time/temperature and hygiene. However, the recent nationwide peach recalls—initially fresh peaches from HMC Farms and Moonlight Companies due to Listeria, followed by Kroger’s “Private Selection” peach salsa recall—demonstrate the critical need for a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) to manage external threats. The salsa recall was necessary because it was made with the contaminated peaches, illustrating the “continuing fallout” and the vital lessons in traceability and supplier-level risk for all Minnesota food managers.

1. The Initial Recall: A Problem at the Source

The first recall was for the raw, agricultural product—the fresh peaches. Listeria is a bacterium found in soil, water, and animal feces, meaning contamination can happen right on the farm or in the processing plant.

This presents an immediate challenge for you, whether you are a manager, chef, or business owner.

You cannot see the threat: Listeria doesn’t change the smell, taste, or appearance of the food. A contaminated peach looks just like a safe peach. This is why we rely on food safety systems, not our senses.
The supplier is your first line of defense: This incident underscores the importance of using approved, reputable suppliers. Even the best suppliers can experience a recall; they must have procedures to identify and notify you immediately.

Receiving is a critical control point: Your receiving dock is more than a doorway. It’s the first checkpoint in your kitchen’s safety plan. You must train your team to check for undamaged packaging, proper temperatures (when applicable), and to know who your suppliers are.

2. The "Recall Fallout" and Your Certified Food Protection Manager Training

The secondary recall of the peach salsa is, in many ways, the more important lesson for a Certified Food Protection Manager. The salsa company didn’t necessarily do anything wrong in its own kitchen, but a contaminated ingredient it received from a supplier affected it.

Ask yourself these questions:

Do you have a traceability plan? If you received a recall notice today for “HMC Farms Peaches,” could you—within minutes—know if you had that product? Could you check whether you used that product in a batch of house-made chutney, a dessert special, or a salad?
Are you tracking lot codes? For many managers, the box is broken down and the invoice filed away. Best practice during a high-risk event is to maintain traceability. This can mean having a simple log or even just clipping the lot code label from a case and attaching it to your invoice.

How Fast Can You Act? A recall is a race against the clock. Your role as a CFPM is to have a plan before you need it. This includes identifying the product, segregating it (labeling it “DO NOT USE”), and communicating with staff and, if necessary, the public and your local health department.

3. The Pathogen: Why Listeria is a Unique Threat

This recall involved Listeria, not E. coli or Salmonella. For a food professional, this distinction is critical, as Listeria has a terrifying “superpower.”

It Grows in the Cold: This is the most important fact. Unlike most bacteria that are slowed by refrigeration, Listeria monocytogenes can continue to grow and multiply at refrigerated temperatures (40°F or below).
The Risk in Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Foods: A manager might mistakenly believe a product is “safe” once it’s in the walk-in cooler. With Listeria, that cooler can become an incubator. This makes it uniquely dangerous for ready-to-eat foods that lack a “kill step” (i.e., cooking), such as fresh salsa, deli meats, soft cheeses, and sprouts.
It is a zero-tolerance pathogen: Because Listeria is so dangerous, especially to high-risk populations, there is a “zero-tolerance” policy for it in ready-to-eat foods. A single cell is all it takes to render a food “adulterated.” This is why you see massive recalls from a potential contamination, not just a confirmed one.

These events are clear reminders that food safety isn’t just a poster on the wall; it’s an active, daily-managed system. And you lead that system.

Build Your Expertise with Safe Food Training

Recalls are real-world tests of your food safety systems. As a Certified Food Protection Manager, you lead the effort to protect public health and your business’s reputation.

If you or your team need the 8-hour food licensing certification or your three-year renewal, we offer friendly, personalized, and effective training tailored for Minnesota food professionals.

Don’t wait for a recall. Visit safefoodtraining.com to register and gain the skills to handle any food safety challenge.