Hazard Analyses of Duck in Chinese Restaurants

Time-temperature exposures and water activity values were measured during the preparation and storage of Chinese-style duck products. Frozen ducks were usually thawed at room temperature and remained at room temperature for several hours thereafter. During cooking or during the post-oven temperature rise period, the temperatures at the geometric centers of the ducks exceeded 94 C (201 F). Cooked ducks were subjected to cross-contamination when they were chopped or cut up on cutting boards. Cooked ducks were held for several hours at bacteria-incubating temperatures while they were on display in cabinets or on counters. Leftover cooked ducks cooled rather rapidly during refrigerated storage. When they were reheated, their internal temperatures did not rise to levels lethal to vegetative pathogenic bacteria. Water activity values of cooked duck ranged from 0.87 to 0.99. Critical control points of the operations were the cutting and chopping of cooked ducks, storage of ducks during display for sale and reheating leftover ducks. Recommendations for control are: (1) to hold cooked ducks at 55 C (131 F) or above, (2) cool unsold cooked ducks rapidly, (3) reheat leftover ducks to internal temperatures of 71-74 C (160-165 F), and (4) minimize opportunities of contamination from equipment surfaces and workers' hands.