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Guide

What Must a Food Handler Do to a Thermometer?

A food handler should use a suitable, accurate thermometer, insert it correctly, clean and sanitize it between uses, and record results when the food-safety plan requires it.

GGearjury editorial team · Updated October 15, 2026· 5 min

Choose the right food-handler thermometer

Match the instrument to the food. A thin probe suits thin foods, while a probe with a larger sensing area needs deeper insertion. Confirm that its range covers the process being measured.

What temperature must a food thermometer be accurate to?

The FDA Food Code says food temperature measuring devices scaled only in Fahrenheit should be accurate to within plus or minus two degrees Fahrenheit in their intended range. Local rules and the establishment's plan still govern.

Check calibration or accuracy

Follow the manufacturer's calibration method or accuracy check. Remove a damaged, drifting, or unreadable instrument from service until it is corrected or replaced.

A food handler puts a thermometer in the correct spot

Place the sensing area in the thickest part, away from bone, gristle, pan surfaces, and pockets of fat. Check more than one location when food is irregularly shaped.

Clean and sanitize between foods

Clean the stem or probe and sanitize it using the approved procedure before and after measuring food, especially when moving from raw items to ready-to-eat food.

Read and document the result

Allow the reading to stabilize. Take corrective action and record the check when required by the operation's HACCP plan, policy, or regulator.

Common questions

Questions before you buy

What temperature must a food thermometer be accurate to?

Under the FDA Food Code, a Fahrenheit-only food temperature measuring device should be accurate within plus or minus two degrees Fahrenheit in its intended range.

When must a food handler clean a thermometer probe?

Clean and sanitize it before and after use and between foods where contamination could transfer, following the establishment's approved procedure.

Where should a food handler put a thermometer?

Place the sensing area in the thickest portion, away from bone, fat pockets, and cooking surfaces, and check additional spots when needed.

What should a food handler do if a thermometer is inaccurate?

Follow the maker's calibration procedure if the unit is adjustable. Otherwise remove it from service and replace or professionally service it.

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