And everyone who buys food should also keep it as fresh and safe as possible from supermarket to storage to the stomach. When shopping, select cans, packets and goods from the centre section of the supermarket first. Pick up items from the deli counter, dairy case, chilled cabinets, meat or fish and the freezer section last. Frozen foods also need to stay frozen.
Temperatures can soar in a closed car or boot, especially in summer.
To get foods home in good condition, keep an insulated container in your car, pop in a cool brick or two before you leave for the supermarket, if possible, and place all items that should be kept cold into the container for the journey home. Ask the check-out operator to pack items needing to be kept cool together so you can easily transfer them to your insulated container. You can make this easier by the way you unload your trolley at the check-out. If your car is air-conditioned, in summer carry food containers in the car itself rather than the boot. In winter, if you are travelling with the heater on, place foods into the boot.