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With soaring temperatures predicted this weekend, many Britons are planning barbecues or outdoor meals. To ensure food safety, particularly during the heatwave, experts suggest reorganizing your kitchen storage.
Summer Kitchen Refresh: Foods to Refrigerate During a Heatwave
During hot weather, some foods typically stored in cupboards may need to be relocated to the refrigerator. High temperatures combined with improper food handling can foster rapid bacterial growth, posing health risks.
Ketchup and Condiments
While often kept at room temperature, ketchup should be refrigerated during hot stretches. Rachael Kiss from Alliance Online emphasizes the increased risks associated with improper food handling during extreme heat, noting that “even small lapses in food hygiene can have significant consequences in warm weather.” This applies to other condiments as well.
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Other Pantry Staples
- Peanut Butter: This breakfast staple can become rancid more quickly in the heat, so refrigerate it.
- Chocolate: To prevent melting and bloom, store chocolate in the fridge.
- Bread: Although refrigeration can cause staleness, it’s preferable to mold growth in the cupboard.
Fruits and Sauces
- Berries: Spoil faster at higher temperatures; keep them refrigerated.
- Stone Fruits: Peaches and nectarines ripen rapidly in the heat, so store them in the fridge.
- Open Sauces and Spreads: Always refrigerate. Unopened sauces may also benefit from cooler temperatures.
Cakes and Pastries
Cakes and pastries containing cream or icing are highly susceptible to spoilage and should always be refrigerated.
Additional Food Safety Tips for Hot Weather
- Use insulated bags or coolers for perishable groceries.
- Avoid leaving groceries in hot cars for extended periods.
- Use appliance thermometers to maintain fridges at 5°C and freezers at -18°C.
- Do not leave perishable foods at room temperature for more than two hours, or one hour if the temperature exceeds 32°C.
- Exercise caution with outdoor dining. Ensure meats are properly cooked and not left in the sun too long.
- Keep raw and cooked foods separate, using different utensils and cutting boards for each.
Heatwave Forecast
Forecasters indicate that the UK will experience temperatures up to 32°C, with some areas hotter than parts of Southern Europe. An official heatwave is declared when regions reach specific temperature thresholds for three consecutive days, ranging from 25°C to 28°C.
Regional Temperatures
- London is forecasted to see temperatures of 27°C, 29°C, 31°C and 32°C over the coming days.
- The heat will extend north, with Manchester and Newcastle experiencing temperatures in the high 20s by the weekend.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a heat-health alert for England, excluding the North. Some areas will exceed temperatures in holiday destinations like Lisbon, Barcelona, and Nice.
Possible Rainfall
Localized, heavy showers are possible depending on humidity levels.
Tips for Avoiding Food Poisoning
- Maintain a Clean Workspace: Keep cooking areas and hands clean to eliminate germs.
- Prevent Cross-Contamination: Use separate cutting boards and store raw meats, poultry, seafood, and eggs separately from ready-to-eat foods.
- Use a Thermometer: Ensure food reaches a safe internal temperature to kill harmful germs.
- Proper Food Storage: Refrigerate perishable items within two hours and keep refrigerators below 40°F (4°C).
- Don’t Rely Solely on Expiration Dates: Discard foods with unusual smells or appearances.
- Avoid Thawing on the Counter: Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator, cold water, or microwave.