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Safety Tips for Meal Kits and Grocery Delivery

The emergence of meal kits and grocery delivery is the best thing since sliced bread. Just picture it: it’s noon on a Friday and you haven’t made it to the grocery store yet. You’re going to be home all weekend and food delivery can get expensive. The idea of trudging to the store after work is daunting. Then you remember your local grocery store allows you to shop online and will deliver. It’s the perfect solution whether you’re busy or just unmotivated.

Meal kits and grocery delivery are rising in popularity but there are still food safety challenges. Federal regulations dictate food safety is a priority during delivery, but after it’s delivered, it’s up to the consumer to keep products safe. Here are a few safety tips for you to consider:

Ordering & Delivery

Do your research

If you plan on subscribing to a meal kit delivery company, read reviews, look up their safety protocols, and ask questions.

Have someone accept the delivery

Arrange for someone to accept the delivery or find a safe place to have the packages delivered. That way, food can be properly stored

At Arrival

Check that food temperatures

Use a thermometer to check whether perishable items are still below 40°F. If you find that some TCS foods are above 40°F, contact the delivery company.

Alternatively, examine all of the food you have received to make sure there are no signs the food has gone bad. Again, contact the delivery company if any of the food they sent has gone bad.

Refrigerate or freeze perishable food ASAP

Once you are sure that all perishable foods are still cold, immediately transfer them to the refrigerator or freezer to keep them out of the temperature danger zone. Check labels for “keep refrigerated” or “keep frozen” and store food accordingly.

Properly store all food and other food as soon as possible, keeping raw eggs, meat, poultry, and seafood away from other foods to prevent cross-contamination.

Rinse produce

Be sure to rinse off fruits and vegetables to reduce the amount of bacteria that could cause foodborne illnesses.

Food safety is incredibly important and if you have to sacrifice that for convenience, it’s not worth it. Plan accordingly and enjoy!