An automated system for collecting, storing and retrieving temperature data relative to food items and food storage equipment includes a hand-held display and data input unit coupled to a temperature probe. The system may include, in the hand-held unit, a memory element for storing one or more predetermined temperature ranges for each one of a plurality of food items or food storage equipment items; and, the memory element maintains a log having temperature data relative to measured temperatures of food items and/or food storage equipment including the date and time when temperatures were measured. The system also comprises a processor that assigns a log number to a temperature measurement taken of a food item or the food storage equipment, and the memory element stores the log number with the date, time and measured temperature associated with the food item or food storage equipment.