Department of Health

Remote temperature monitoring of food

Key messages

  • Storage unit temperatures must be monitored.
  • Remote temperature monitoring is an alternative compliance method.
  • The department has published a guide to help you understand remote temperature monitoring systems, so you can comply with food safety requirements if you choose to use such a system.

Food safety involves monitoring temperatures of storage units – usually fridges and freezers. This is usually done manually by checking the temperature of food with a probe thermometer twice per day.

Remote monitoring of temperatures is an alternative compliance method. It involves using temperature thermocouples (or probes) that transmit information to an operating system to monitor the temperature of storage units. It can also create records and trigger alarms if the set parameters are breached.

Remote temperature monitoring requirements

Remote monitoring systems (RMS) use various technologies, but certain criteria must be met for the system to be considered an adequate alternative method of compliance. The system must:

  • monitor and report twice daily temperature readings (at a minimum)
  • trigger an alarm when a storage unit is not holding food within the set temperature limits
  • document corrective actions taken when temperature control issues occur
  • have a thermocouple accuracy of ±1 °C
  • be validated so that it produces consistently accurate results
  • be calibrated each year (thermocouples and alarms)
  • have a maintenance program in place to ensure continuous operation of the system.

The department has developed a guide to help food businesses that want to use an RMS. The guide explains how the RMS manages temperatures.

Downloads

Guide for EHOs and food businesses: Remote monitoring of temperatures in food storage units
docx 643.49 KB

Reviewed 08 October 2015

Health.vic

In this topic

Contact details

Food Safety Unit

Phone 1300 364 352
foodsafety@dhhs.vic.gov.au
Was this page helpful?