In fact, the risk of perishables spoiling in the back of a hot car virtually rules out running other errands after a grocery trip. Enter the Thermal Whiz Collapsible Cooler. But the claim on the press release that ice cream, milk, meat and butter will stay fresh for eight hours is a bit of a stretch. One hour later, the food was fine, but the ice cream was starting to get soft on top. A spokeswoman admitted that the eight-hour test was done on a cold day in winter.
Surveys showing consumer preferences are a favorite promotional tool of the food industry.
They also make for fun reading. According to the Milk Processor Education Program survey, the most common reason is that we don't think about it. At least, not among beef cuts for the grill. Nancy J. Stohs is food editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. All rights reserved.