How to Check Your Fridge Temperature in the UK

A thermostat number is not a measured food temperature. The FSA recommends a fridge kept between 0 and 5°C, verified with a thermometer, and checked around once a week.

United Kingdom · Practical storage decision

What should you measure?

Use a dedicated refrigerator thermometer to verify the internal air temperature. A numbered fridge dial often controls cooling power rather than displaying the real temperature.

What if the reading is above 5°C?

Adjust the fridge according to its instructions, allow the temperature to settle, and check again. If food has been held too warm, a new cold reading cannot verify its earlier safety.

Which foods need reliable chilling?

Foods carrying a use-by date, dairy, cooked dishes and ready-to-eat salads belong in the fridge under their product instructions. Do not use a calculated expiry window when the storage temperature is unknown.

Related UK guidance: Explore the relevant storage instructions →

Scope: The linked FSA household guidance primarily applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For Scotland, check Food Standards Scotland as well. This explanation does not determine whether any individual food is safe.

Official source: Food Standards Agency guidance on GOV.UK ↗

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