diff --git a/Tactical/Item Types.cpp b/Tactical/Item Types.cpp
index 9dd8b0d92..698b65c65 100644
--- a/Tactical/Item Types.cpp	
+++ b/Tactical/Item Types.cpp	
@@ -1330,6 +1330,12 @@ OBJECTTYPE& OBJECTTYPE::operator=(const OLD_OBJECTTYPE_101& src)
 			(*this)[0]->data.fUsed = src.fUsed;				// flags for whether the item is used or not
 			(*this)[0]->data.bTemperature = 0.0;
 
+			// Flugente: the temperature variable determines the quality of the food, begin with being fresh
+			if ( Item[this->usItem].foodtype > 0 )
+			{
+				(*this)[0]->data.bTemperature = OVERHEATING_MAX_TEMPERATURE;
+			}
+
 			if(src.usItem == OWNERSHIP)//dnl ch29 120909
 			{
 				(*this)[0]->data.owner.ubOwnerProfile = src.ugYucky.ubOwnerProfile;
@@ -1360,6 +1366,12 @@ OBJECTTYPE& OBJECTTYPE::operator=(const OLD_OBJECTTYPE_101& src)
 				(*this)[x]->data.ubImprintID = src.ubImprintID;	// ID of merc that item is imprinted on
 				(*this)[x]->data.fUsed = src.fUsed;				// flags for whether the item is used or not
 				(*this)[x]->data.bTemperature = 0.0;
+
+				// Flugente: the temperature variable determines the quality of the food, begin with being fresh
+				if ( Item[this->usItem].foodtype > 0 )
+				{
+					(*this)[x]->data.bTemperature = OVERHEATING_MAX_TEMPERATURE;
+				}
 			}
 		}