How often should food thermometers be calibrated?

Food thermometers are essential tools in ensuring that food reaches safe cooking temperatures and helps prevent foodborne illnesses. The correct practice is to calibrate thermometers before each use or at least once a day to ensure their accuracy. Calibration is important because factors like temperature fluctuations, wear and tear, or exposure to high temperatures can affect a thermometer's precision.

By calibrating before each use or daily, food handlers can ensure their readings are correct, which is vital when cooking, cooling, or holding food at specific temperatures to ensure safety. This practice helps in maintaining food quality and compliance with health regulations.

The other options suggest less frequent calibration, which could lead to inaccuracies in temperature readings and potentially unsafe food practices. Regular calibration ensures that food thermometers provide reliable data crucial for safe food handling.