At what minimum temperature should a freezer be set to ensure safe food storage?

A freezer should be set to a minimum temperature of 0°F to ensure safe food storage. At this temperature, the growth of bacteria and other pathogens is significantly slowed, helping to preserve food quality and safety. Freezing food at 0°F or below helps maintain its texture, flavor, and overall nutritional value, preventing spoilage during extended storage. Maintaining this temperature is crucial, especially for meat, poultry, and seafood, as it ensures that these foods remain safe to eat after being frozen and subsequently thawed.

While other temperatures listed may be cold, they do not provide the same level of safety for food storage. For instance, temperatures above 0°F may still allow for some microbial activity, which can compromise food safety over time. Hence, ensuring the freezer is set to at least 0°F is a best practice in food safety to protect against foodborne illnesses.