Cyprus: food temperature rules

“Law” is a binding rule. “Official guidance” is not law, but inspectors expect it. “Chef Hygiene default” is a value the app checks against where no rule gives a number.

• Official guidanceNo Cyprus law sets fridge, hot-holding, cooling or reheating numbers for restaurants. The numbers below come from the Public Health Services Hygiene Guide No 1 (2nd edition) and its HACCP plan for small businesses.
• Official guidanceGuide No 1: chilled food, and raw meat, poultry and fish, at 5°C or below. The small-business plan sets a critical limit of 7°C. Chef Hygiene aims for 5°C and warns above 7°C. Cakes and pastries: 8°C at most.
• LawQuick-frozen food must be at −18°C or colder. Brief rises of up to 3°C are allowed in transport and display (Κ.Δ.Π. 80/2002, reg. 6). Guide: never refreeze; ice cream on display at −14°C or colder.
• Official guidanceGuide No 1: cook to 75°C in the centre, or 70°C for 2 minutes. Pork and burgers: 68,3°C for 15 seconds. Frying oil never above 180°C.
• Official guidanceGuide No 1: keep hot food at 60°C or more. Below 60°C is allowed once, for serving only. The small-business plan says above 63°C.
• Official guidanceGuide No 1 for food between 5°C and 60°C: under 2 hours, chill it or eat it. From 2 to 4 hours, eat it at once. Over 4 hours, throw it away.
• Official guidanceGuide No 1: cool from 60°C to 10°C within 2 hours, never over 3 hours, then keep at 5°C or below.
• Official guidanceGuide No 1: reheat to above 75°C in the centre. No time limit is given.
• Official guidanceGuide No 1: thaw in the fridge at 5°C or below, or under running drinking water at 21°C or below for at most 3 hours.