Printable · Ages 6–12
Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill Family Checklist
A fridge checklist for the four federal food safety steps, with kid jobs for ages 6 to 12 and the key safe cooking and fridge temperatures.
Use it with: Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill: Food Safety for Families
Original ChefSolus printable. Content checked by AI fact-check and safety passes; not reviewed by a human professional. Review method.
Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill Family Checklist
How to use
Put this on the fridge. Each time your child helps with a step, they can check it off or add a sticker.
Adults handle raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs, the stove and oven, and sharp knives. Older children help only with an adult right there.
CLEAN
- Wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds before, during and after cooking
- Rinse fruits and vegetables under running water (no soap)
- Scrub firm produce, like potatoes, with a clean brush
- Wash boards, dishes and counters with hot, soapy water
- Do NOT wash raw meat, chicken, eggs or fish
SEPARATE
- Use one cutting board for raw meat, chicken and fish, and another for ready-to-eat food
- Wash anything that touched raw meat, eggs or flour
- Keep eggs in their carton in the main part of the fridge
- No tasting raw dough or batter
COOK (adult in charge)
- Use a food thermometer in the thickest part of the food
- Keep hot food at 140°F or above
- Reheat leftovers to 165°F
| Food | Safe minimum internal temperature |
|---|---|
| All poultry (chicken, turkey) | 165°F |
| Ground meat and sausage | 160°F |
| Beef, pork, lamb steaks, roasts, chops | 145°F + 3-minute rest |
| Fish | 145°F, or opaque and flakes with a fork |
| Egg dishes | 160°F |
| Leftovers and casseroles | 165°F |
CHILL
- Fridge at 40°F or below (check the thermometer)
- Freezer at 0°F or below
- Put perishable food in the fridge within 2 hours (1 hour if it's over 90°F)
- Thaw food in the fridge, not on the counter
- Label leftovers with the date
Temperatures and steps from FoodSafety.gov. The danger zone, where germs grow fastest, is 40°F to 140°F.