Is your refrigeration system ensuring your food’s safety? Refrigeration slows down the growth of harmful bacteria and microorganisms that can cause foodborne illnesses. Proper refrigeration helps maintain the quality and safety of your perishable foods.
Here are key aspects of how refrigeration relates to food safety:
Temperature Control: Refrigeration keeps perishable foods at a safe temperature, usually between 32-41°F (0-5°C) to slow bacterial growth. Freezers should be kept at 0°F (-18°C) or lower to preserve frozen foods.
Preventing Bacterial Growth: Cold temperatures inhibit the growth of bacteria, molds, and yeast, reducing the risk of spoilage and foodborne illnesses. Bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature, potentially causing food to become unsafe within hours.
Storage Guidelines: Store raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs in the coldest part of the refrigerator to prevent cross-contamination with ready-to-eat foods. Keep fruits and vegetables separate to maintain freshness and prevent odors.
Proper Packaging: Store food in airtight or sealed containers to prevent moisture loss, freezer burn, and cross-contamination. This helps maintain the quality and safety of the food.
Thawing Safely: Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator, microwave, or under cold running water. Avoid thawing on the countertop, as it can promote bacterial growth.
Monitoring Temperature: Use a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer to ensure they are operating at the appropriate temperatures. Regularly check and record temperatures to maintain food safety.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance: Clean the refrigerator regularly to prevent odors, spills, and bacterial growth. Regular maintenance, such as defrosting the freezer and checking door seals, helps maintain proper functionality.
Food Rotation: Follow the “first in, first out” (FIFO) rule to use older food items before newer ones. This practice prevents food spoilage and wastage.
Safe Leftovers: Refrigerate leftover cooked food promptly and consume within a safe time frame, usually within 3-4 days. Reheat leftovers thoroughly to kill any bacteria before consumption.
Food Handling Practices: Follow safe food handling practices, such as washing hands, surfaces, and utensils, to minimize the risk of contamination before placing items in the refrigerator.
Emergency Preparedness: In case of a power outage, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed to maintain cold temperatures as long as possible. Use coolers with ice packs to temporarily store perishable items.
By adhering to these guidelines and practices, refrigeration can effectively contribute to maintaining food safety and preventing foodborne illnesses. But what happens when the system fails?
ArtikControl™ consistently monitors your walk-in coolers/freezers and sends out alarms via text and email alerts when problems arise so that any failure or temperature problems are discovered and addressed as quickly as possible. Saving money and your food in the process
“Arti” our ArtikControl™ Dashboard offers real-time information, remote access, and intelligent energy controls. Giving you the constant information you need to monitor your systems. The flexibility of ArtikControl™ allows for the inclusion of multiple locations and multiple systems (walk-in boxes; reach-in displays and portable units) into one cohesive, technology-managed solution.
Arti’s user-friendly interface allows for easy, onsite adjustment and the networked solution allows for remote access and appropriate levels of information to be communicated specific to each stakeholder. In addition to reducing expense, the solution enhances more accurate budgeting and elimination of operational inefficiencies using reliable technology controls.!
At Refrigeration Technologies’, we save our clients’ money by manufacturing and selling smart innovation, retrofit refrigeration energy-efficient technology. Our products pay for themselves within 4 years installed in most cases and the resulting savings can cut your energy bill by up to 30% or more! As utility rates continue to climb, there has never been a better time to invest in cutting-edge technology and see massive savings as a result.
Our technology controls evaporator fans, room temperature, compressor/liquid line solenoid, and defrost heaters while providing multiple alarms when systems deviate from normal use. This provides energy savings that are verified by third party administrators & engineers.
ArtikControl™ maximizes energy efficiency with less compressor run times resulting from shorter defrost cycles. Also a reduction in excessive temperature that occur with mechanical defrost units and the use of latent Energy in the box reducing compressor run times.
With these features and benefits you can be sure your commercial refrigeration is as energy efficient as possible, saving you money on the ever increasing energy bills.
Refrigeration Technologies will show you how to reduce food spoilage, monitor your temperatures and save energy. These are just a few of the benefits a refrigeration owner or operator will experience with the installation of ArtikControl™ WIC &WIF Technologies.
For more Information about some of the most common problems that occur inside walk-in freezers and how our Technologies can give you Peace of Mind, save energy and more importantly put money in your refrigeration operations, please contact us at 888-286-3091 or email me at MYannessa@refrigerationtechnologiesllc.com.
Do you have a Talking Freezer?
Contact Refrigeration Technologies’ today to schedule a No Obligation Energy Audit. (888) 286-3091
