🥩 Food Safety & Safe Handling Instructions
Last Updated: April 24, 2025
At Blended Pastures Farmstead, we take pride in providing premium, farm-raised beef and natural products straight from our pastures to your family. With that pride comes responsibility — and we want to ensure you handle and prepare your food safely.
Whether you’re grilling a ribeye or storing tallow in your pantry, following safe handling practices is the key to keeping your kitchen clean and your meals safe.
🚚 Upon Delivery: What to Do First
When your order arrives, please follow these steps:
- ✅ Open the box immediately
- ❄️ Place frozen beef in the freezer or refrigerator
- 🧼 Wash your hands after handling any raw packages
- 📦 Discard or recycle all shipping materials, especially gel packs and insulation
🧊 Storage Guidelines
| Product Type | Recommended Storage | Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen Beef | Freezer at 0°F or below | 6–12 months |
| Refrigerated Beef | Refrigerator at 40°F or below | 3–5 days |
| Tallow Products | Cool, dry place | Up to 12 months |
| Opened Tallow | Room temp or fridge | Use within 3–6 months |
💡 Pro tip: Always label your freezer packages with the date you received them!
🔪 Safe Handling Tips for Raw Meat
- Wash your hands with soap before and after handling raw meat
- Keep raw meat and juices separate from other foods
- Use separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables
- Never reuse marinade used on raw meat unless it’s been boiled
- Clean all knives, surfaces, and utensils with hot, soapy water after contact with raw beef
🌡️ Cooking Temperatures (According to USDA)
To kill bacteria and ensure safe consumption, cook your beef to the following internal temperatures:
| Cut | Minimum Temperature |
|---|---|
| Ground Beef | 160°F |
| Steaks, Roasts | 145°F (rest 3 minutes) |
| Leftovers | 165°F |
Use a meat thermometer for best results — don’t just guess!
🍽️ Serving and Leftovers
- Keep hot foods hot (above 140°F) and cold foods cold (below 40°F)
- Don’t let food sit out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if it’s above 90°F)
- Refrigerate leftovers promptly in shallow containers
- Reheat leftovers to 165°F
⚠️ Allergy & Consumption Warning
Some of our products may be produced in facilities that handle common allergens.
Consuming raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Always follow safe food preparation practices.
📄 USDA Resources for Your Kitchen
Want more food safety tips? We recommend these trusted resources:
- USDA Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures
- USDA FoodKeeper App
- Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner – Safe Handling
🙌 We’re Here to Help
Got questions about storing, handling, or preparing your beef from Blended Pastures Farmstead?
Reach out to us anytime at lindsey@blendedpasturesfarmstead.com — we’re happy to help you make the most of your order.
🐄 From Our Farm to Your Table
Thank you for trusting us to feed your family. We raise every animal with care, and we’re honored to be part of your kitchen.