b. Given the often changing situation at the forward edge of the battle,
maintaining food at safe temperatures may seem difficult. However, insulated
containers exist that make it possible to transport potentially hazardous foods safely.
Correct use of these insulated containers will help maintain safe temperatures. It is
your responsibility as a preventive medicine specialist to be sure that insulated
containers are used to transport prepared food and that they are used correctly. Figure
3-2 shows a typical insulated container used to transport food.
Figure 3-2. An insulated food container.
c. Observe personnel when they are preparing hot foods to be transported to
the front. Personnel must use the insulated container correctly for the foods to remain
at 140 F or above for an adequate length of time. Basically, the preparation of the
container for hot foods involves preheating the container with boiling water. If the
container is properly prepared, the food will remain sufficiently hot for 3 to 4 hours.
Figure 3-3 illustrates the correct method of preparing the insulated container for hot
foods.
MD0181
3-8