How often should food thermometers be calibrated?

Calibration of food thermometers is crucial to ensure accurate temperature readings, which is vital for food safety. The correct response emphasizes that thermometers should be calibrated regularly, and particularly after any incident that could affect their accuracy, such as being dropped.

When thermometers are not calibrated properly, there is a risk that food may not reach safe temperatures during cooking, or may not be kept at safe temperatures during storage, leading to potential foodborne illnesses. Regular calibration helps to maintain the reliability of the thermometer's readings and ensures compliance with safe food handling practices.

In practice, calibration should be part of standard operating procedures, especially in environments such as restaurants where food safety is critical. Therefore, checking and adjusting the thermometers as necessary guarantees that food is being cooked and stored at safe temperatures, ultimately protecting public health.