Food Safety Solutions

We often have enquiries from customers about the need to have their thermometers calibrated periodically.

We recommend the following:

1.    The FSANZ (Food Standards Australia & New Zealand) Food Safety Standards do not require thermometers to be re-calibrated.

2.    The food standards state in Standard 3.2.2, Division 6, Clause 22, states that: “a food business must, at food premises where potentially hazardous food is handled, have a temperature measuring device that:
A)    Is readily accessible; and
B)    Can accurately measure the temperature of potentially hazardous food to +/- 1°C.

3.    To ensure that the thermometer is accurate to the requirements of the standards we recommend a calibration check at least monthly. This check can be done by:
A)    Obtain a coffee mug and fill ¼ with crushed ice
B)    Fill with watery & slowly stir and wait for the temperature reading on the display to stabilise.
C)    Leave for 2 minutes & stir for 10 seconds – this is an ice slurry
D)    Place probe of thermometer to be tested into the ice slurry & slowly stir and wait for the temperature reading on the display to stabilise.
E)    The temperature displayed should be 0°C +/- 1°C (taking into account the written manufacturers specification for the unit)
F)    If the temperature is within -1°C to +1°C, then the thermometer meets the requirements of the standard & can be returned to service.


Please record this calibration check (time, date, reading attained & who completed the check).

e.g.

G)    If the thermometer displays greater than -1°C to +1°C the unit should be repaired, re-
Fildes Food Safety offers a calibration service to all customers if requested.