Potentially hazardous food is any food or food ingredient, whether natural or synthetic, that is capable of supporting the rapid growth of microorganisms. A food is potentially hazardous if it is:

• of animal origin, e.g., meat, poultry, milk, fish, shellfish, crabs, and lobster
• of plant origin and has been heat treated
• raw seed sprouts.

Often Overlooked Potentially Hazardous Foods:

• Bacon – if not fully cooked.
• Mayonnaise or other acidified salad dressings – if pH is above 4.5 and/or combined with other food products.
• Onions – cooked or reconstituted dehydrated onions.
• Beans – all types of cooked beans.
• Eggs – fresh egg shells, fresh eggs with outer shell removed, and hard-boiled egg
• Whipped butter – whipping introduces bacteria
• Cheese – soft unripened cheese such as cottage, ricotta, Brie, and cream cheese are more hazardous than hard cheese. All cheeses should be refrigerated.
• Coffee creaming agents – all non-dairy coffee creaming agents in liquid form, except those approved by food safety authorities (labeled UHT only).
• Pasta – cooked. Pastries -filled with meat, cheese, and cream filled.
• Pies – meat, fish, poultry, natural cream, synthetic cream, custard, pumpkin, and pies covered with toppings that support microbial growth.
• Garlic – garlic in oil products.
• Potatoes – baked, boiled, or fried.
• Refried beans – all varieties.
• Rice – boiled, steamed, fried, Spanish, and cooked rice used in sushi.
• Sauces – Hollandaise and other sauces that contain potentially hazardous ingredients.
• Sour cream – if the pH is above 4.6 and/or combined with other food products.
• Soy protein – tofu and other moist soy protein products.
• Seed sprouts – all types.

Revised 6/00
University of Rhode Island
Cooperative Extension Food Safety Education