Food Safety Tips

The kitchen is a dangerous place. Hot stove tops can burn you, sharp knives can cut you, and uncleaned spills can cause you to fall and get hurt. But did you know that your food can also be unsafe? Consuming food which has spoiled or expired can give you all kinds of illnesses, so use these tips to keep your food fresh.

• Wash produce before consuming. If you are planning to eat fresh fruits or vegetables, always wash them first. Running your produce under cold tap water for a few seconds is a good way to cleanse it from bacteria which may be living on the surface.
• Defrost food in the refrigerator. Many people like to defrost their frozen meats on the countertop, where it will thaw quickly. The growth rate of bacteria at room temperature is exponentially higher than inside of your refrigerator, so play it safe and defrost your frozen foods in the fridge – even if it takes longer.
• Keep raw meat on the bottom shelf. Keep all of your raw meat on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator until you are ready to cook it in order to prevent the meat from dripping and contaminating the foods below it.
• Refrigerate ASAP. After buying eggs, dairy products, or raw meat/poultry/fish, get them to the refrigerator as soon as possible. After approximately two hours in a room-temperature environment, these foods can spoil and cause illness if consumed.
• Know your limits. Food doesn't last forever, whether it is uncooked or leftovers. Raw meat should be cooked within three days of purchase, and leftovers should be consumed or thrown away after five days maximum. If you are unsure about whether or not a food is safe to eat, use the golden rule: when in doubt, throw it out.

In order to minimize bacteria and maximize the length of time that your food stays fresh, it is important that your refrigerator keeps a consistent temperature under 40° F. If your refrigerator feels warm and you suspect that it isn't operating properly, call Speedy Sub Zero at 866-782-9376. We have served New York City and Long Island residents for more than 75 years and offer 24/7 emergency service, so call us for a quick repair done in the comfort of your own home.