What is a safe temperature for storing frozen foods?

The safe temperature for storing frozen foods is 0°F or lower. This temperature ensures that food remains in a solid state and helps to maintain its quality and safety by preventing the growth of bacteria and other pathogens that thrive at higher temperatures. Keeping foods at or below this temperature allows for long-term storage without significant loss of texture or flavor, making it important for both food safety and quality.

While lower temperatures, such as -10°F, may provide even more safety margin, the established guideline for freezing food safely is centered around 0°F. Temperatures above this threshold, such as 32°F, can lead to thawing, and at 25°F, while still below freezing, there may be concerns about longer-term storage viability and potential compromise of food quality. Thus, storing frozen foods at 0°F or lower is key to ensuring they remain safe and maintain their intended characteristics for consumer use.