As the colder weather is now here in the northeast, we often think of spending more time indoors and travelling less as the weather may be treacherous in some areas of the country. We long for warm meals, comfort foods, and often stock our pantry and freezer with items that can be kept for a long time.
That is why food safety is very important no matter the time of year, especially when many will be entertaining during the Christmas and New Year holidays. No one wants the food to go bad. Consuming spoiled food can lead to physical discomfort with a possible trip to the urgent care center. Knowing how long it is safe to store foods his highly recommended.
In the last blog entry, the difference in "Use By," "Sell By," and "Best By Date" were explained. It is also important to know how long to keep food in the fridge before it is considered unsafe or in the freezer before the taste would be compromised due to spoilage.
It all begins with selecting foods at the store or farmers market that are of the best quality, then safely transporting them home in a timely manner to not compromise their quality. Before freezing meats, check that the packaging is properly sealed. The shrink wrap may not maintain the "cling." Placing the item in a freezer storage bag can extend the life. Knowing how to store an item in the refrigerator - whether the item should be placed in the crisper bin or not washing until it will be used can cause it to spoil sooner than later if not cared for properly.
For example, did you know how to prevent moldy berries? Before storing, prepare a mixture of
one part white vinegar to ten parts water.
Place the berries into the mixture and swirl around. Drain, rinse, and place in the fridge. The vinegar kills mold spores and other bacteria, allowing the fruit to last a week or more without getting moldy.
The following web site will allow you to look up additional information on different types of foods, including how long they should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/storagetimes.html
*** You may notice that I did not post an entry since October 1. Due to a potential medical issue, I chose to take a short hiatus from writing this blog. As I refocus my life on what is most important, I will be resuming the entries, but on a monthly basis. Look forward to upcoming posts in 2013 about travel, birthday celebrations, and helping out a local charity. ***
