Tag: Food temperature danger zone

Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria can survive and thrive in a surprisingly wide range of temperatures, from freezing to body temperature. While most strains are harmless, pathogenic types like E. coli O157:H7 can cause severe illness, making it critical to understand how temperature affects their survival and growth.

The USDA and FDA both identify the 'Temperature Danger Zone' as 40°F–140°F, where bacteria can double in as little as 20 minutes. The simple answer is yes, food will spoil at 60 degrees in a refrigerator, as this temperature is well within that hazardous range, posing a serious health risk.