Food temperature
Measured with a calibrated thermometer in the food itself. This is the reading that matters for product decisions.
Food-temperature context · Seattle
What the 41°F cold-holding rule means when a cooler fails.
Washington food rules generally require time/temperature-control-for-safety food to be held at 41°F (5°C) or less, subject to stated exceptions. This page gives general context only. It is not legal, health, or food-safety advice, and it does not decide what to do with product.
The rule
Cold holding at 41°F or below.
The Washington food code requires cold-held time/temperature-control-for-safety food to be kept at 41°F (5°C) or below, with limited exceptions. Equipment displays, set points, and air probes can differ from the actual temperature of food.
Source: Washington cold-holding rule, WAC 246-215-03525. Accessed September 3, 2026.
Measuring
Keep three readings separate.
Air temperature
Measured in the cabinet or room air. It can change quickly when doors open.
Equipment display
The unit’s controller or display reading and set point. It may not match food or air readings.
When a unit fails
Steps that support good decisions.
- Record the time you noticed the problem and each reading afterward.
- Limit door opening on the affected unit.
- Follow your food-safety plan for moving, discarding, or holding product.
- Contact the health authority if you are unsure whether product can be kept.
- Share your readings and timing with a refrigeration professional.
Seattle Cold Care does not decide whether food is safe to serve or sell.
Questions
Commercial refrigeration request FAQs.
What temperature must refrigerated food stay at in Washington?
Washington’s food code generally requires cold-held time/temperature-control-for-safety food to be at 41°F (5°C) or below, subject to stated exceptions.
Does the cooler display tell me whether food is safe?
No. Displays, set points, air readings, and actual food temperatures can differ. Use a calibrated thermometer in the food and follow your food-safety plan.
Can Seattle Cold Care tell me whether to discard product?
No. Contact your health authority or follow your business’s food-safety plan. Seattle Cold Care only helps organize equipment service requests.
Request commercial refrigeration help
Request help for a cooler that is not holding temperature.
Share readings, timing, and business impact. A request does not guarantee provider availability or decide product safety.
Prefer to talk? Call (425) 696-7477 or email hello@seattlecoldcare.com.