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Shopping safely to prevent food poisoning

Healthwise
By Bets Davis, MFA

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There are things you can do while shopping to help prevent food poisoning.

  • Put raw meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and shellfish in separate bags and do not mix them with other food items.
  • Do not buy meat or poultry that has a tear in the package or is leaking.
  • Pick up your refrigerated and frozen items at the end of your shopping trip, so they are unrefrigerated for a shorter period of time.
  • Drive directly home after finishing so you can store all foods properly. If you have a long drive, consider getting an ice chest for perishable foods.
  • Do not buy food past the "sell by" or "use by" dates.
  • Do not buy canned foods if the cans are dented, leaking, bulging, or rusting.

Credits

Author Bets Davis, MFA
Editor Maria Essig
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Associate Editor Terrina Vail
Primary Medical Reviewer Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition
Specialist Medical Reviewer W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Last Updated February 23, 2009
Last Updated: 02/23/2009