We are all victims of wanting to eat delicious food, served hot in a proper manner. The aroma of a delightful Biryani or a mouthwatering curry dish served with hot roti. The spicy, rich, creamy Pasta or tasty Parathas prepared fresh and hot. May it be a vegetarian dish or a non-vegetarian plate, a Chinese platter or a Punjabi palette, a South Indian delicacy or East Indian cuisine, we love our food cooked and served fresh. We want our food fresh, healthy, and not stale. And rightly so! The food taste is at its best when it is served right away. The nutrients in our food stay intact when they are cooked and served immediately.

But there are times when we are unable to eat as soon as the food is prepared. Be it daily work or extra chores, an urgent meeting or crucial call, it might not always be possible to get access to food as soon as it is ready. Sometimes we might have to wait for lunch breaks and, at times, delay eating in the wait of family or friends. But that does not mean we should not eat our food fresh and healthy. Therefore, a 2-hour window is established by scientists to keep our food safe and delicious.

Also Read- How tablespoons can change the complete look 

The tale of the 2-hour rule

You might wonder what this 2-hour rule or 2-hour safe window is? Relax! We have got you covered. The 2-hour rule or safe window explains how long freshly, potentially hazardous food like cooked meat, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, fried rice and Pasta, cooked food containing eggs, etc. can be held at temperatures in the danger zone, i.e., between 5oC to 60oC.

Control of temperature is utterly vital for preventing the growth of harmful bacteria in our food. We should minimise food's overall time kept in danger, as mentioned above, the temperature zone for its safety. However, as bacteria grow gradually and take time to reach higher numbers to cause food poisoning, the Food Standards Code have proposed an alternative that allows us to keep our food between 5oC to 60oC for a shorter period.

Various studies have discovered that food can be kept safely without temperature control for short periods without increasing any food poisoning risk. The time allotted for food to be held between 5oC to 60oC is a 2-hour rule or 2-hour safe window.

The 2-hour rule states that food kept in the temperature danger zone for less than 2 hours, including preparation and serving, is required to return in the refrigerator at a temperature below 5oC or boiled or heated above 60oC. As per the rule, the food should not be kept in the danger zone of temperature for more than 4 hours. The practice is based on scientific facts about the speed of microorganisms and bacterial growth at a temperature between 5oC to 60oC.

Also Read- Modern kitchen trends: Corner shelves 

The guide to using 2-hour rule correctly

We will guide you on how to use this 2-hour rule for your daily tasks. We will take Pasta as an example that clearly explains the 2-hour safe window. You have prepared your creamy, tasty, and delicious Arrabiata Pasta at 1 PM noontime.

• As per the 2-hour regulation, you can keep the Pasta out of refrigeration for up to 2 hours, i.e., till 3 PM. You can then refrigerate it until 3 PM and bring out later in the day, say 6 PM. However, after this time, the Pasta must not go back into refrigeration. If the Pasta is not used by 8 PM, i.e., a total of 4 hours inside the danger zone of temperature, then the delicious Pasta is no longer edible and, sadly, should be thrown away. 

• You can also keep your Pasta out of controlled temperature, between 5oC to 60oC, for 4 hours straight and eat it before 5 PM. If you cannot consume your Pasta before 5 PM, you will have to throw it away as it will no longer be edible. 

Also Read- The utilities of the versatile ladle 

Thus, the simple monitoring method of 2-hours helps you keep your food safe and fresh to eat. 

Food safety with Ellementry

We, at Ellementry, believe Food safety is vital for healthy and happy customers. We believe food safety does not limit to ingredients but safe practices used in cooking and preparation of the right utensils. Food safety is one of our most essential brand pillars, and therefore, all of our products are crafted with ethical boundaries of safety. We believe that great products set the stage for your food and don't force themselves into the act. They only make the food better.

Hence, we ensure that all of our products pass the safety test for your food. Take an example of the Terracotta roti box. Handcrafted with care and made out of natural terracotta, the roti box symbolises food safety. The terracotta not only keeps your roti safe but also keeps it warm. The indigo stamp ceramic pasta bowl is just another addition to our long list of delightful products. Crafted with contemporary patterns, serving your delicious Pasta or any food in the ceramic plate is a statement of royalty. The bowl is perfect for serving any one-pot meal during a feast or a house-party. It is microwave friendly along with being dishwasher and oven friendly. And what's more, is the ceramic material used in crafting the bowl is entirely safe for food.

The complete Ellementry collection of kitchenware, cookware, cutlery, and other food storing utensils are made of terracotta, ceramic, metal, stainless steel, clay, and other fusion materials that are certified safe. The sustainable and handcrafted products at Ellementry are designed to keep your safety as a priority. The products do not only improve the aesthetics of your home but maintain a safe eating environment for your family. Grab your ultimate safeguard kitchenware today, only from Ellementry!