Let’s say you went to the market yesterday. You hurriedly bought the last package of a dozen eggs and didn’t check the quality or expiration date. Today you made eggs for your kid, sent him to school and went to pick him up hours later, finding he was sick in class. This isn’t shaping up to be a good situation for either of you. How can you avoid this potentially frightening situation?
Health.com, a leader in health news online, came out with six easy reminders when you go grocery shopping so that the food you buy is healthy and safe for you and your family.
1. Look things over.
Most markets are inspected a few times annually, but how can you really know? Make sure that your grocery store is inspected and looks like a clean place of business. (Note: Flies buzzing around the milk section should be a big warning sign.)
2. Shop smart.
Picking up your meats and cheeses first when you still need to hit every aisle in the store is a poor choice. Start with nonperishable items, like cereals and other boxed items, and then move to dairy and produce. Letting your cold cuts sit in the cart for hours will lessen the freshness.
3. Check sell-by dates.
This one should be a given. Always check expiration or “sell-by” dates on all items. Anything past the date is a big no-no.
4. Avoid bruises.
A black and blue apple is probably not something you wanna give your kid. Try to pick all your fruits and vegetables with skin intact and no bruising, as this can be breeding grounds for bacteria.
5. Trust only yourself, the consumer.
Be wary of your butcher. Packaged meats and other foods can hold food-borne illnesses and other diseases that were sealed in from the knife-wielding man sneezing and not covering his mouth. Buy unprocessed meats and take the time to wash them and cut them yourself.
6. Whether in kelvins or degrees, check the temperature please!
Go for the product furthest from the front when picking dairy or meats. The colder, the fresher. Go with 30 to 35 degrees as a rule.
That’s all, shoppers. Shop smart and live healthy. You’ll be glad you did.
Photo courtesy of Alex Webb.