Post-Holiday Food Storage Tips

A lot of families look forward to cooking well-loved family tested recipes during the holidays. After all it is that time of the year, when a lot of people also travel miles just to be with relatives and friends. While the holidays may be a good time to exhibit your culinary skills, proper food storage ought to be observed in order to avoid food-borne illnesses.

Small amounts of bacteria can naturally be found in foods. However, poor handling, inappropriate cooking and storage can allow the bacteria to multiply, that can then lead to disease. Aside from bacteria, parasites, toxins, viruses, and chemicals can additionally result in contamination.

Those who ingested these infectious organisms may have varied complaints. This is owing to the reality that the of food poisoning vary, depending on the source of contamination. The typical complaints are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain, that start hours after consuming contaminated food.

One of the best means to prevent food-borne illnesses is by proper food storage. Foods which need to be refrigerated should be put inside the fridge the time you get home. There is in fact a "two hour rule" in which you need to get seafood, poultry, meats, eggs, or other produce inside the fridge. These food items should not be allowed to sit for over two hours at room temperature. If the temperature is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, these food items must not be allowed to sit at room temperature for over an hour or so. Refrigerator temperature must additionally be maintained at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Likewise, the temperature inside the freezer should be at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. It may be good to buy refrigerator and freezer thermometers. These are usually cheap, and should be placed inside the refrigerator and the freezer. Check temperatures at least once a week to guarantee safe food storage.

If it could take some time for you to get your groceries home, use an ice chest for temporary storing frozen and perishable goods. When the weather is warm, do not place your groceries in the trunk. Instead, put them inside the passenger compartment simply because it is generally cooler due to the air conditioner.

Make it a habit to read labels regarding storage directions and expiration dates. If you have forgotten to keep some food items inside the fridge, it may be best to toss them away. Some refrigerated ready to eat food items, should also be consumed as soon as possible simply because there is a larger chance of bacteria to grow. It can particularly occur if the temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit inside the fridge.

The refrigerator should also be cleaned frequently. Spills ought to be quickly cleaned to minimize the development of bacteria. Foods kept in the fridge should additionally be covered in order to stop contamination. Toss away food items that look suspicious or moldy. Marinate food inside the refrigerator because bacteria can multiply quickly at room temperature. The marinating liquid must never be reused if it has not been boiled. Leftovers should also be saved in tight lid containers.

Meals that are properly handled and kept in the freezer are usually safe. Freezing will not kill most bacteria but it can cease bacterial growth. Freezing will also not minimize a nutritional value of a food item. However, food items that have been stored for a long period of time may have an effect on a food's aroma, tenderness, juiciness, and color.

Regularly check your stocked canned items for damage. Toss cans that have swelled and rusted extensively. Throw away as well cans with leakage, holes, punctures, and those that have been severely dented. Do not keep food items close to chemicals and any cleaning products. It is additionally not smart to keep food items below the sink simply because a leak from the pipes may result in contamination. It is a good idea to store food items in a cool, dry place to prevent bacteria growth.

Individuals may take for granted proper food storage because it has been part of our routine every time we go grocery shopping. Having said that, proper food storage is one way of protecting your loved ones from food-borne illnesses. Storing food properly will not take a lot of your time, but it is the best way to ensure safety for the whole family. Far more importantly, appropriate food storage should not only be observed during the holidays, but throughout the year as well.


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