Having a beautiful, accessible, abundant food pantry is the goal of every one of our organizing clients.
That is why while organizing and decluttering client's kitchens, refrigerators and food pantries around Los Angeles we make it a point to check the expiration dates of canned and other convenience foods throughout the spaces. Food safety is and should continue to be a priority for you and your family. It's important for us, it should be important to you. Please check yours. Do it now!
Why check your dates?
Depending on where you live, more and more people have year-round access to fresh vegetables and fruit through our modern distribution network. Unfortunately with the availability of these fresh food items, some clients purchase canned goods, packaged foods and beverages in containers and forget about them for quite some time. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, we neglect to regularly check expiration dates on these foods inside the pantry including spices. This can lead to spoilage and food-borne illness just waiting to happen, especially when canned goods and jars are stored in the basement or garage and you forget about them.
Don't go Psycho:
Now, imagine Lila (Vera Miles) is not screaming because she just discovered a mummified Mrs. Bates in the psychological thriller Psycho basement scene. She just got a glimpse of some of the expiration dates on canning jars behind her in the fruit cellar. Don't let this happen to you.
Rescue yourself:
Fortunately, you don't need a professional organiser to help rescue you from bad expiration dates, you can save yourself. The American Dietetic Association has some tips for you not only when storing, but buying canned food goods:
- Avoid buying canned goods that show signs of bulging, denting or leaking;
- Throw away any canned goods in your pantry with similar signs of bulging, denting or leaking;
- Store canned goods in a cool, dry place--not above the oven or under the sink;
- As a general rule, canned goods can be kept up to 12 months unopened;
- Clean cans before opening them to avoid contamination of contents.
More tips on food safety for deli meats, frozen foods, dried and cured meats are located here. Here are some more toss tips when the power goes out in an emergency.
What food safety tips can you share with our readers?
For helping spread the word about the importance of home food safety, I was entered into a drawing for a $15 Starbucks gift card and an iPad through Summertime Food Smarts, a contest run by the American Dietetic Association and ConAgra Foods' Home Food Safety program. Home Food Safety is dedicated to raising consumer awareness about the seriousness of foodborne illness and providing solutions for easily and safely handling foods. Learn more at www.homefoodsafety.org.
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