When shopping at our local grocer, I will spend hours picking out the best looking fruit and veg there is. “Oh no, this one has too many speckles!”, “That one is too soft”. Yes, we can all be a bit picky sometimes, but are we storing our well picked out goods properly when we get home?

If food is not stored properly it can lead to food-borne illnesses which can cause an; upset stomach, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomitting, diarrhoea, fever and dehydration. Some food-borne illnesses can last for a few hours and others can be near fatal. That is why I’ve decided to write this blog and put the spotlight on the way we store our food.

The most important thing to remember is: “When in doubt, throw it out”.

Here are a few tips on how to store your food:

• Always double check the Best Before Dates on food packaging.
• Always buy your cold and frozen food at the end of your shopping trip.
• Do not leave cold or frozen food in the car. After purchasing food it is best to go straight home and store them properly.
• Wash your hands before prepping or touching food.
• Meat should not be kept for longer the 3 days in the refrigerator. If you will not be using the meat within that time-slot, rather freeze it for later use.
• Never leave meat open in your refrigerator. Make sure to keep the meat in its packaging or store in an airtight container.
• Make sure that all your countertops are clean before you start preparing food.
• It is better if you have different cutting boards for fish, poultry, beef, pork and fruit & veg. This can prevent cross contamination.

To prolong the shelf life of your fresh fruit and vegetables, you can wash them with Ozonated water before storing or refrigerating. This can prolong the shelf life with 30%. This can be done by using an Ozonater. An Ozonater can also be used to disinfect your fridge when cleaning. If you have contracted a food-borne illness you can opt for Ozone Therapy. Ozone Therapy can kill viruses, bacteria and parasites. Ozone can also improve your digestion, vitamin & mineral absorption and reduce disease.

How can you improve your food storage?