| By :
Steven Chang
A lot of families look forward to preparing well-loved family recipes throughout the holidays. After all it is that time of the year, when many individuals even travel miles just to be with friends and family. While the holidays may be a wonderful time to exhibit your kitchen skills, correct food storage should be observed in order to prevent food-borne illnesses. Small quantities of bacteria can naturally be found in foods. Having said that, poor handling, inappropriate cooking and storage could allow the bacteria to multiply, that can then lead to disease. Aside from bacteria, parasites, toxins, viruses, and chemicals can additionally cause contamination. Individuals who ingested these infectious organisms may have varied problems. This is due to the fact that the of food poisoning vary, depending on the source of contamination. The typical problems are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain, that start hours after consuming contaminated food. One of the best ways to prevent food-borne illnesses is by proper food storage. Foods that need to be refrigerated ought to be put inside the fridge the moment you get home. There is actually a "two hour rule" in which you need to get seafood, poultry, meats, eggs, or other produce inside the refrigerator. These food items must not be allowed to sit for over two hours at room temperature. If the temperature is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, these food items should not be permitted to sit at room temperature for more than an hour. Refrigerator temperature must also be maintained at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Similiarly, the temperature inside the freezer should be at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. It may be good to buy refrigerator and freezer thermometers. These are typically cheap, and should be placed inside the refrigerator and the freezer. Check temperatures at least once weekly to guarantee safe food storage. If it could take some time for you to get your groceries home, use an ice chest for temporary keeping frozen and perishable items. When the weather is warm, do not put the groceries in the trunk. Instead, put them inside the passenger compartment simply because it is usually cooler due to the air conditioner. Make it a habit to read labels concerning storage directions and expiration dates. If you have forgotten to keep some food items inside the fridge, it may be best to throw them away. Most refrigerated ready to eat food items, must also be consumed as soon as possible simply because there is a greater chance of bacteria to grow. It can particularly occur if the temperature is over 40 degrees Fahrenheit inside the fridge. The refrigerator should also be cleaned frequently. Spills ought to be immediately cleaned to reduce the growth of bacteria. Foods saved in the fridge should additionally be covered in order to stop contamination. Toss away food items which 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 kept in tight lid containers. Foods that are properly handled and saved in the freezer are generally safe. Freezing will not destroy most bacteria but it can halt bacterial development. Freezing can also not lessen a nutritional value of a food item. However, food items that have been stored for a long period may have an effect on a food's aroma, tenderness, juiciness, and color. Regularly check the stocked canned goods for damage. Toss cans that have swelled and rusted extensively. Discard as well cans with leakage, holes, punctures, and those which have been severely dented. Do not store food items near chemicals and any cleaning products. It is also not wise to keep food items under the sink simply because a leak from the pipes may lead to contamination. It is advisable to store food items in a cool, dry place in order 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. Nevertheless, proper food storage is one way of defending your family from food-borne illnesses. Storing food properly will not take a lot of your time, but it is the best way to guarantee safety for the whole family. A lot more importantly, proper food storage should not only be observed throughout the holidays, but throughout the year as well.
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