Question Can you tell me how long you can safely hold pies in a pie warmer at above the safe temperature. E.g.In a lunch bar you add rapidly heated pies to piewarmer at 8am. Can they stay in there until afternoon provided they are kept above 60 degrees Celsius? I cannot find anywhere that states how long food can be kept at the safe heat, there's got to be a limit? Thanks Karen
Answer The pies would be considered safe if held above 140 degrees (60C) or below 41 degrees (5C). These temperatures limit the growth of pathogens, there typically is not a time limit associated with food held either above 140 or below 41, though food held above 140 degrees begins to look "overcooked" and dry out if held for extended periods of time.
In your example, if the pies in the warmer register at or above 140 degrees (60C), they are considered safe, without a time limit.
