While the warmer weather can make the
running of errands all the more pleasant (you need not worry about snow,
ice or freezing your face off), one thing we do need to consider is how
hot temperatures can affect our groceries. When temperatures soar, all
the food you've just purchased from the supermarket is basically a
ticking time bomb for harmful bacteria growth.
Bear in mind that on hot, sunny days, the
temperature inside your car can soar to as high as 172°F - not ideal for
foods like meat, fish, chicken or dairy. Once you open the windows or
crank up the air conditioning, the temperature will slowly start to
drop. But the inside of your car will still be more than warm enough for
nasty bugs and bacteria to flourish on your food.
How long do you have?
Exactly how long do you have before your chicken cutlets or milk starts
to go bad? This would very much depend on where you live and the weather
that day. Since heat is a good medium for bacteria growth, you want to
minimize it as much as you can. The less time it will take for you to
travel between shopping and going home, the better. On the way home , be
sure to not stop at any other location. So, if you need to make other
stops do those before you go to the grocery store.
Pack your groceries carefully
Ensuring that your food remains fresh means being smart about your
shopping and packing. At the store, shop for meat and dairy products
last, so that these items will spend the least amount of time in your
cart. At the checkout counter, pack the cold items in an insulated bag
with an ice pack. If your drive home is some distance away, it might be
worth storing your stuff in a cooler.
Packing in the car
Once you've reached the car, put your bags in the passenger area not in
the trunk. The temperatures here are a lot cooler, even if you don't
switch on the AC. Be sure to head straight home and get everything into
the refrigerator or freezer.