Definition: Standard frozen temperature range of -18°C to 0°C. Most frozen food products are stored and transported at -18°C per international standards.
R638 Requirements::
- Meat, poultry, seafood: -12°C to 0°C minimum (but -18°C+ preferred)
- Ice cream: Must not exceed 0°C at any point
- Most frozen products: -18°C industry standard
Why -18°C: This temperature effectively halts microbial growth and enzymatic activity while maintaining reasonable equipment efficiency and operating costs.
Related Terms: Deep Frozen, Cold Chain, Temperature Control, Freezer Burn