When preparing a meal, many factors go into ensuring that the food is safe to consume. The safety guidelines for food and food preparation need to be followed from the time of food purchase all the way to heating up leftovers. Failure to maintain a good food safety procedure can lead to illnesses that could be mild or severe.
Food safety begins in the supermarket. There are many things to keep in mind when shopping for the food that you will take home to consume. When browsing packages on the shelves, never choose cans or contains that are dented, cracked, swollen or leaking. Flaws in packaging provide an opportunity for bacteria to penetrate the food item and potentially make you ill. Check that frozen or refrigerated foods are being stored at the proper temperature. Inspect foods for evidence of being soiled or moldy. Dry products such as breads should not show evidence of moisture inside the packaging. You should also make it a habit to check the date on perishable foods, especially chilled and frozen items. .
There are also some tips to keep in mind when physically choosing the foods while you are at the store. If you will be purchasing frozen or chilled foods, plan your route through the store to pickup these items last. Hot foods should also been chosen towards the end of your shopping and kept separate from the chilled and frozen foods. When purchasing items from the deli, check that the staff uses separate tongs or gloves when handling different foods. (Better Health). After purchasing hot or chilled foods, you should be able to reach your home and put them away within 30 minutes. If you live further than 30 minutes away, it is a good idea to take an insulated bag or cooler with you to transport your chilled foods. .
After you arrive home with your newly purchased food, you must continue being vigilante in the care and storage of that food. Food should be stored in its proper place right away after arriving at home.