Grocery delivery slots quickly became like gold dust
when vulnerable people were advised to stay at home. It has also bolstered
business for companies. There is such a high demand that companies turn away
orders because the website became overrun with customers. I think even when
supermarkets return to normality, it’s probable that many will have grown
accustomed to the luxury of having grocery orders arrive on the doorstep
instead of having to walk around the aisles themselves.
This luxury life has its risks as well. But these risks
are manageable. As of this moment, there is currently no evidence to support the transmission of COVID-19 associated with food. Home-delivered groceries,
subscription meal kits, and mail-order food can be convenient. Make sure food
safety is part of the package, too. Home-delivered food must be handled
properly to prevent food poisoning.
Whether food is shipped to your home or delivered by a
local service, it needs to stay at a safe temperature to prevent the growth of
germs that could make you sick. Follow these tips to keep you and your family
safe while enjoying meals prepared at home from these foods.
Before Ordering
Ask questions first.
Research companies and call customer service to ask about food safety
standards. This is particularly important if you are buying the food for
someone who is more likely to get food poisoning:
·
adults age
65 and older,
·
children
younger than age 5,
·
people who
have health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight
germs and sickness (weakened immune system), and
·
pregnant
women.
Ask how the company responds if food is delivered at
an unsafe temperature or is otherwise not safe to eat. Find out if the company
provides information with each shipment on safe handling and preparation of
food, including cooking temperatures.
Arrange for delivery when someone is at home so
food can be refrigerated quickly instead of being left outside until someone is
at home. If you can’t be there in person, see if a neighbor can.
Find a safe space for delivery if no one will be
at home when the food arrives. Food should be delivered to a cool, shaded, and
secure location where pests and rodents won’t be able to get it. Let the
company know where you would like them to leave your box.
Safe Food Delivery and Receipt
Examine the box and packaging. When you get your
delivery, look for stickers on the box that says “Keep Refrigerated” or “Keep
Frozen” if you ordered perishable food such as meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, or
dairy.
Check the temperature with a food thermometer.
Perishable food should arrive frozen, partially frozen
with ice crystals still visible, or at least as cold as it would be in a
refrigerator (40°F or below). The only way to know the food is safe to eat is
to use a food thermometer to make sure the food is 40°F or below. Even if a
perishable food product is smoked, cured, vacuum-packed, or fully cooked, it
still must be kept cold.
Make sure the company uses insulated packaging and
materials such as dry ice or frozen gel packs to keep perishable food cold
in transit.
Refrigerate or freeze your delivery as soon as
possible. Bacteria can multiply rapidly if food is kept in the “danger
zone” between 40°F and 140°F for more than two hours. After you have made sure
that the food was delivered at a safe temperature, store it in the refrigerator
or freezer as soon as possible until you are ready to prepare it.
Notify the company if food arrives above 40°F. Don’t
eat any of the food, or even taste it to see if it is safe. Food can be unsafe
and still taste, look, and smell OK. When in doubt, throw it out.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment