Food Storage Tips

What is the importance of safe food storage practices?
(July 27, 2010)

The storage of a food product depends on its chemical composition and the way it has been processed, packaged, and distributed. The storage of any food product depends on a variety of factors such as the type of food, its shelf life, the temperature at which it was stored, its packaging, and how efficient the storage unit is at maintaining the food at its recommended storage temperature. Proper food storage ensures the retention of the nutritional value and functional property of a food product without compromising on its aesthetic value.

Safe and healthy food is an integral part of healthy living. Practicing improper food storage is detrimental to healthy living.


Food storage plays an important role in maintaining the nutritional value of the food and ensuring that it is safe for consumption. Proper food storage practices help to kill bacteria, molds, fungus, stop them from multiplying, and also stops them from spreading. This ensures your food is fresh, clean, and healthy and its nutritional value is duly retained.

Although proper food storage does not improve the quality of food, it prevents the deterioration of food quality. Proper temperature ensures that the food retains its appearance, its aroma, texture, quality, and color. Any food storage practice does change the nutritional value of food, but the change is not significant. Environmental conditions are also major contributing factors in retaining quality.

Here are some food storage and safety ways in which you can preserve food quality and ensure that it retains its natural flavor, texture and nutrition.

• Use appropriate containers for storage such as, aluminium foil, tin, plastic, and wraps.

• Food can be divided in to different categories such as raw food, cooked food, or dairy. This makes it easier to follow certain food storage technique. Each food has a different nature and thus has to be stored in a different manner at different temperatures and in different containers.

• Proper food storage ensures the prevention of any food borne illness such as food poisoning and diarrhea.

• Proper food storage ensures the quality of food is retained, and thus reduces food wastage.

Here are a few tips for Safe Food Storage Practices:

1. Use containers that are covered for safe food storage.
2. Keep the storage area clean and dry.
3. Transfer nuts and sugar into airtight jars to protect them from pests.
4. Keep raw foods away from ready to eat or contaminated foods.
5. Choose containers that enable food to retain its quality and ensure safe storage.
6. Label all the containers for convenient handling.
7. Food containers made of moisture vapor resistant material that is odorless, easy to clean, and long lasting are the best bet.
   

Thus, the storage of food differs depending on its age, ingredients, quality of packaging, and shelf life. Follow these food storage practices to ensure that the food that you eat is as clean and healthy as possible.