Food temperature checks for takeaways.
The temperatures that matter, how often to check them, and how to keep the records ready for your next inspection.
In short
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland chilled food must legally be kept at 8°C or below, and GOV.UK advises setting fridges to 5°C or below. Council food safety guidance says to cook food to a core of at least 75°C for two minutes, hot hold at 63°C or above, keep frozen food at or below -18°C, and check and record fridge and freezer temperatures at least once a day. Keeping a record of your checks is recommended, so you can show an inspector what you've done.
The key temperatures
| What | Temperature | What the guidance says |
|---|---|---|
| Chilled food | 8°C or below | A legal requirement in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (recommended in Scotland) |
| Fridge setting | 5°C or below | GOV.UK advice, so food stays cold enough even when the temperature changes |
| Cooking | 75°C core for 2 minutes | Council food safety guidance |
| Hot holding | 63°C or above | A legal requirement, per council guidance |
| Freezer | -18°C or below | Council food safety guidance (ideal) |
Your local council's environmental health team has the final word for your shop, so check their guidance too.
How often to check
Council food safety guidance recommends:
- Fridges and freezers: check and record at least once a day.
- High-risk foods: check and record two or three probe temperatures a day as good practice.
- Hot-held food: check regularly that it's at or above 63°C.
- Cooking: probe high-risk foods occasionally where you use standard recipes and quantities.
Keep the records
Keeping a record of your checks is recommended. A paper diary works until it's covered in batter or goes missing the day the inspector visits.
ServeMate's health and safety logs are included in the £49 plan. Fridge and freezer temps, probe temperatures, cleaning and opening checks are logged on a tablet and saved, so they're ready when the inspector asks.
Sources: GOV.UK: Food hygiene for businesses, chilling and freezing, Torbay Council: Controlling food temperatures. Checked 28 October 2026.
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