Check the temperature in the center of the smoothie, with the thermometer probe pushed into the middle of the liquid, not against the side or just at the surface.

How to check correctly

• Insert a clean food thermometer into the smoothie so the tip is in the thickest, central part of the drink.

• Avoid touching the container walls, since they may be colder than the smoothie itself and give a falsely low reading.

Target temperature

• For safe refrigerated storage, the smoothie should be at or below about 4∘C4^\circ \text{C}4∘C (40°F), which is the standard maximum for cold foods.

• If the smoothie measures above this for more than about 2 hours at fridge or room conditions, it is safer to discard it rather than drink it.