Food Safety
Food Preparation and Storage
Storing Refrigerated Food There is a limit as to how long food can be kept in the fridge. Once the food begins to look or smell bad, it should be thrown out. Follow these tips to help keep refrigerated food safe:
• Always keep the temperature in the fridge at 4ºC or 40º F or less to deter bacterial growth. • Store eggs in their carton on a shelf, not the door
• Keep meat and poultry products in the original packaging.
• Keep your fridge clean to avoid cross-contamination from spilled or spoiled foods
• Don’t let meat or juices of raw meat and poultry drip causing contamination of other foods. Storing Frozen Food
• Keeping food at –18ºC (0º F) stops bacterial growth, but it doesn’t kill bacteria already there.
• Food can be defrosted in the fridge, under cold running water or in the microwave. If you defrost food in the microwave, cook it immediately.
• Food that is freezer burnt – dry in some spots – is safe to eat but may not taste that great. Durable Life Information on Food Products
• Durable life is the amount of time that an unopened product will keep its wholesomeness, taste and nutritional value when stored under appropriate conditions.
• Manufacturers and retailer are responsible for determining the durable life of their food products
• Durable life information is not a guarantee of the safety of the product
