How To Store Food Safely 

Leftovers are fantastic. They’re ideal for making a quick meal when you’re running out of time, and they can be perfect lunches on days when you’re working, whether you’re out on-site, at an office, or using physicaladdress and actually working from home. 

Knowing how to store your food (even leftovers) properly can make a significant difference to your health and the health of your family. Certain meals, for example, must be stored in particular locations, while others must be used up promptly and then properly disposed of if anything remains. This article should help you in understanding how to properly store food while keeping everyone fit and healthy.

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The Fridge

Some foods will need to be stored in the refrigerator, and there are no comprises to be made on this. The cool environment of the fridge inhibits the development of bacteria and germs, keeping food fresher and more edible (as well as safer) for longer. Read the labels and packaging of every product you purchase. If the item must be stored in the fridge, it should be labeled ‘keep refrigerated’ (or something similar) on the package. The label will also have a use by date, which we will explain later. 

A good rule of thumb is to remember if you got the food from a refrigerator in the store. If so, it should be stored in yours after you get it home. Leftovers should be refrigerated as well. They should be cooled as soon as possible (room temperature is OK) before being kept in the fridge and eaten within two days. To keep the food fresher for longer, put it in a vacuum-sealed bag. To prevent germs from spreading, keep your refrigerator at 5oC or lower and clean it out on a regular basis.

The Freezer

When it comes to food, you can freeze almost everything, including dairy, meat, breads, eggs, baked goods, fish, and much more. Foods with a high water content (such as strawberries or tomatoes) may be frozen, but they will become mushy. They are, nevertheless, safe to consume and cook with. Although freezing food is an excellent way to ensure that you waste as little as possible, you should never freeze food that has gone beyond its expiration date.

Use By Dates

Use by dates provide an indicator of how long a food item will remain fresh and edible. Some foods will have a ‘use by’ date, and others will have a ‘best before’ date printed on them. These are two different concepts. The use by date will be found on the freshest food, which will go bad faster than other products. Eating food that has gone beyond its expiration date can be hazardous. Many people believe that simply because the food smells and tastes great, it’s safe to consume it beyond its use by date. However, even if it doesn’t seem ‘off,’ it may still contain high amounts of germs that can make you sick, so keeping the use by dates in mind is a smart idea. 

Best before dates can be seen on items that have a longer shelf life in general. Food that has passed this date is safe to consume, but it may not taste as well as it should – it was best before the date printed on it passed.