Food safety when storing
It is important to implement adequate storage practices as soon as food products are brought home. Safe refrigeration and freezing practices reduce the survival and growth of bacteria present in food. It is also essential to avoid prolonged storage and adhere to ‘use-by’ dates to prevent bacteria from growing to high numbers.
● Storage temperatures exceeding recommendations can encourage bacterial growth:
→ ensure the refrigerator is operating at a temperatures below 5˚C.
→ ensure the freezer is operating at a temperature below -18˚C.
→ operating temperatures can only be determined using a thermometer, the number on the setting dial does not indicate temperature.
→ cool leftover foods promptly (within one hour at room temperature in wide shallow containers) before refrigerating to prevent temperature increases.
→ Do not overfill the refrigerator as it can prevent cold air from circulating sufficiently.
● Ensure that raw meat/poultry are stored separate/below ready-to-eat food and fruits or vegetables to prevent cross contamination from raw meat/poultry or the packaging.
● Avoid prolonged storage of foods to prevent bacteria from growing to high numbers:
→ modified atmosphere in pre-packed ready-to-eat food restricts bacterial growth, after opening bacterial growth increases, such food should be eaten within 2 days.
→ ‘use-by’ dates are calculated on bacterial ability to survive and grow, it is essential to adhere to the such food safety indicators on foods.
→ leftover cooked food should be eaten within 24 hours.
● Ensure that freezing practices do not impact on the safety or quality of food:
→ follow on-pack frozen storage duration based upon the star rating of your freezer to prevent a reduction in eating quality and bacterial growth.
→ freeze food in required portion sizes using airtight containers or bags to ease thawing and ensure that food doesn’t become dehydrated.
→ do not re-freeze thawed foods as temperature fluctuations during thawing and refreezing encourage bacterial growth. Thawed food can be frozen if cooked.
