cold storage room for meat industry
Apr 2024

Nepcool

Cold Room

Guide to Cold Room Temperature for Meat Storage

Proper meat and poultry storage is extremely important for extending shelf life. Whether you are a professional chef or simply someone who loves high-quality meats, knowing the ideal room temperature is essential. Proper meat and poultry storage is essential for ensuring food safety and extending the shelf life of your meat and poultry. For this, you can use a wide range of storage techniques. One such technique is using Cold storage rooms. The question here is, what is the ideal temperature for meat and poultry storage? 

In this blog, we provide you with a guide to cold room temperature for meat and poultry storage. So, with this in mind, let's get started.

Understanding the Importance of Temperature Control

cold storage room for meat industry

Meat and poultry are highly perishable foods. They are highly susceptible to bacterial growth and spoilage. Therefore, improper temperature conditions can lead to the rapid spread of harmful bacteria and fungi. This includes but is not limited to Salmonella, E. Coli, and Listeria. These pathogens can cause various illnesses associated with food.
Furthermore, improper storage of meat and poultry can lead to faster breakdown of protein and fats. This can result in off-flavours, discolouration, and textural changes. All of this leads to degradation and damage to the quality.

The Optimal Temperature Range for Meat and Poultry Storage

The simple answer to this question is the lower the temperature, the better it is for you. That said, there is a general temperature range in which meat and poultry are preserved. This temperature is between -18 degrees Celsius to -22 degrees Celsius, however, it may change for specific items. This temperature is low enough to prevent the growth of most of the bacteria. Furthermore, this temperature is also ideal for preserving the texture and taste of the meat and poultry products within the cold storage room.

That said, the general storage temperature for meat and poultry is between -18 degrees Celsius and -22 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, in special high-grade meat freezing units, the temperature is even lower, at -35 degrees Celsius.  

It's important to note that different types of meat and poultry may have slightly varying optimal temperature ranges.

The Science Behind Temperature Control For Meat and Poultry

cold storage room for meat industry

The science behind the temperature in meat and poultry is associated with the principles of bacterial growth and enzymes. Bacteria and fungi live and multiply in warm environments. This includes temperatures between 4.4 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius. This temperature range is also known as a "Danger Zone" for meat and poultry. By maintaining temperatures below this range, the growth of bacteria is significantly slowed. This, in turn, extends the life of meat and poultry. 

Similarly, the enzymes associated with the breakdown of fats and proteins are temperature-dependent. At higher temperatures, these enzymes become more active, which accelerates the deterioration of meat and poultry products. By keeping the meat at low temperatures, the activity of these enzymes is reduced, which preserves the quality and freshness of these products for a longer period.

Different Temperatures For Meat Preservation Time

After knowing the core science behind meat, let's talk about the different temperatures for meat and their respective time. Depending on the storage temperature of the meat. Some of the temperature of meat and poultry and their storage times are as follows:

Meat stored between 0 degrees Celsius and 5 degrees Celsius can last between three and ten days. If the cold storage room temperature is within this range, you can store fresh meat. 

If the meat and poultry are between -18 degrees Celsius and -22 degrees Celsius, the meat can be stored for up to six months. Furthermore, if the temperature is less than -23 degrees Celsius, the meat can be stored for longer. However, note that the longer you store the meat, the more impact it has on its texture and taste.

Practical Tips For Maintaining Ideal Cold Room Temperature

cold storage room for meat industry

After learning the basics of the ideal temperature for meat in cold storage rooms, let's discuss how to maintain these temperatures. The following are some tips you can follow to ensure the ideal temperatures for meat storage in cold rooms.

Invest in a Reliable Refrigeration System

Investing in a high-quality, commercial-grade refrigeration system is important for maintaining consistent and accurate temperature control. Look for the best manufacturer of cold storage rooms, like Nepcool, if you wish to get the best and most reliable refrigeration room.

Monitor Temperature Regularly

Regularly monitoring the temperature of your cold room is essential to ensure it remains within the optimal range. For this, you can install accurate thermometers and check them regularly at various locations within cold storage rooms. You can consider investing in a temperature monitoring system that can alert you to any changes in temperature range.

Maintain Proper Air Flow

Proper airflow in a cold storage facility/room ensures an even temperature distribution. To do this, you can avoid overcrowding the cold room storage. This is because overcrowding can restrict air circulation and create hotspots.

Minimise Door Openings

This is one of the simplest steps to ensure the ideal temperature inside the cold storage room. You let the warm air from outside in every time you open the door. This can disrupt the cold temperature inside the cold rooms. Minimise door openings as much as possible, and ensure that doors are closed tightly after each entry or exit.

These are some of the ways to maintain the optimal temperature inside the cold storage rooms for meat and poultry storage.

Conclusion

Meat and poultry industries are dependent on cold storage for their business. Cold storage room enables these industries to keep their products fresh for an extended duration. While the specific temperature requirements vary depending on the type of meat, the general consensus is that the lower the temperature, the better it is for meat and poultry preservation. 

In this blog, we provided a guide to cold room temperature for Meat and Poultry Storage. We hope you found this helpful. If you want further insights into the various aspects of cold storage rooms and refrigeration transportation, do check out some of our other blogs. And if you want the best cold storage manufacturer in Nepal for manufacturing cold storage rooms and Transport refrigeration, remember us at Nepcool. Thank you for reading till the end.  

FAQs on Guide to Cold Room Temperature for Meat and Poultry Storage

What is the recommended temperature range for storing fresh meat and poultry?

The recommended safe temperature range for storing fresh meat and poultry is between 28°F (-2.2°C) and 32°F (0°C).

Why is temperature control so important for meat and poultry storage?

Proper temperature control is crucial for preventing the growth of harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which can cause foodborne illnesses. It also slows down the breakdown of proteins and fats, extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of the products.

What temperature should meat be stored at in cold storage?

If you want the meat to last for more than a few months, then it should be stored at a temperature below -18 degrees celsius to -22 degrees celsius. However, if you only require a few days of freshness, then the temperature should not be higher than 4 degrees celsius.