Update: FASFC Circular 24/01/2025 regarding the storage temperature and duration of foodstuffs in retail.
The FASFC circular of 24/01/2025 regarding the storage temperature and duration of foodstuffs in retail allows for deviations from the statutory storage temperature for cooked charcuterie, pasteurised cheeses, and heated vegetables. This blog answers the questions below:
- What is the circular about?
- Which factors influence the storage duration and temperature?
- What happens if the storage temperature and duration are not respected?
Gaël Beyen
Circular 24/01/2025 FASFC regarding the storage temperature and duration of foodstuffs in retail
What is the circular about?
The statutory storage temperatures for certain refrigerated foodstuffs in retail are laid down in the Royal Decree of 13 July 2014 on food hygiene. This circular permits derogations from the statutory storage temperature for cooked charcuterie, pasteurised cheeses, and heated vegetables.
“Cooked charcuterie, pasteurised cheeses, and heated vegetables are products that must be kept refrigerated to a maximum of 7°C (see Annex IV of the Royal Decree of 13 July 2014). The FASFC grants a derogation from the storage temperature of cooked charcuterie, pasteurised cheeses, and heated vegetables in retail according to the conditions in the table below and provided that this remains in the context of the preparation/composition of foodstuffs that will be consumed immediately and that no additional relevant microbiological hazards are identified for these foodstuffs.”
The storage temperature and maximum time for cooked charcuterie, pasteurised cheeses, and heated vegetables:
- 30°C = 30 min.
- 28°C = 40 min.
- 26°C = 50 min.
- 24°C = 1 hour
- 22°C = 1 hour 15 min.
An additional temperature increase of 3°C is not permitted.
Which factors influence storage time and temperature?
The type of packaging and the ambient temperature have a major influence on the shelf life. The optimal storage temperature, in turn, is determined by the nature of the food products.
Based on the nature of the food products, packaging provides specific storage instructions and/or conditions of use. This ensures that the consumer knows how long a food product can be safely stored and under what conditions.
What happens if the storage temperature and duration are not respected?
If the storage temperature and duration for refrigerated foodstuffs are not respected, spoilage will occur much more rapidly. The risk of pathogenic bacteria and spores growing increases, which can cause illness in the consumer.
Deviations from the statutory storage temperature for cooked charcuterie, pasteurised cheeses, and heated vegetables are only permitted under the appropriate conditions.
