Guest blogger: Jill Hively of Order Up Organizing, Apex NC
Were these handles properly?
The importance of safe food handling practices starts long before the food is brought into your home. Because you have little control over how the items are handled before they end up in your grocery buggy, it is especially important to be mindful of food safety as you’re planning your grocery store visit. A few things to consider:
Inspect packaging carefully. If it is damaged, torn or shows signs of water damage, don’t buy it. Pay close attention to canned goods. Dents, leaks, bulges and rust are all signs that bacteria may be taking over the contents.
Separate raw meats from ready-to-eat foods. You keep them separate as you prep (right??!) so you wouldn’t want the meat cross-contaminating your veggies before you even get them into your kitchen.
Remember the temperature danger zone. This is especially important as the weather gets warmer (or downright HOT here in the South). Pick up your frozen & refrigerated items last and drive straight home from the store. Do not pass GO. If you travel a long distance to the store, consider having ice packs and a cooler in your car to hold the perishable items on the trip. And place the items in the refrigerator as soon as you get home.
Do your grocery shopping habits support safe food handling? How long are your groceries without temperature control?
