Gaby
During the summer, people in many countries struggle with extreme heat. Due to global warming, individuals are forced to change their eating and cooking habits.
Experts suggest that before thinking about preparing meals in such hot conditions, it’s essential to reorganize your kitchen cabinets. The reason is that during intense heat, some foods that are typically stored in the pantry can become hazardous. Therefore, they should be moved to the refrigerator.
The combination of high temperatures and improper food handling often creates the perfect environment for harmful bacteria to thrive.
“Periods of extreme heat increase the risks associated with food mishandling. Even minor lapses in food hygiene can have serious consequences,” noted Rachel Kiss, a food storage expert.
Which Foods Need Extra Cooling in the Heat?
According to Ms. Kiss, surprisingly, bread is on this list. While storing it in the refrigerator may lead to it becoming stale more quickly, it’s still better than having a loaf covered in mold in the pantry. If this solution doesn’t appeal to you, you’ll need to buy this staple more frequently.
Chocolate melts in excessive heat, and when stored in the fridge, it develops a grayish coating. If you have to choose between these two unpleasant outcomes, the second option is still more acceptable. Alternatively, you can place chocolate in the refrigerator shortly before consuming it.
Peanut butter—a breakfast staple in Western culture—has recently become more common in our kitchens as well. Therefore, this spread should also be kept cool, as it can quickly go rancid in warm temperatures.
Ketchup, mustard, and other condiments usually do well in the pantry. However, hot weather changes the storage conditions for this category of food. Move these items to the refrigerator along with jams.
Berries and stone fruits like peaches and nectarines ripen rapidly when left out on the counter. So, they too belong in the refrigerator, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The next at-risk items are cakes and pastries with cream or icing, which is no surprise. They spoil quickly even in cooler weather, and even more so during abnormally hot conditions. So, let them chill before eating. Ideally, they should be consumed right after purchase. By the way, when buying such treats, it’s important to inquire about their preparation date, storage conditions, and expiration date.
Other Food Safety Tips for High Temperatures
Rachel Kiss believes that when purchasing chilled or frozen foods during hot summer days, insulated bags or thermal containers should be used.
She also advises against leaving food products in a heated car.
The temperature in refrigerators and freezers should be lower than during cooler seasons.
In hot weather, perishable items should not be kept at room temperature for more than two hours, Ms. Kiss added.
Don’t forget about food pairing rules. Raw foods should be stored separately from cooked ones. Different cutting boards should be used for raw and cooked items.
Additionally, she recommended being cautious when dining outdoors. Even properly cooked food should not be left in the sun for long periods.
