It looks tasty and sure is convenient, but is it safe to eat?

Pre-packaged meal kits are extremely popular these days, boasting convenience, fresh ingredients, easy recipes and delicious meals. These kits are so popular that many grocery stores have added the kits to their refrigerated “Fast-To-Go” or Deli areas.

With all refrigerated foods, keeping them at the right temperature slows the growth of bacteria that exists in nature. So, when you buy these kits at a grocery store, be sure to refrigerate the items when you return home.

If you want the convenience of planning and buying a week’s worth of dinners at one time, ordering from a delivery service may be best for you and your family, but you still need to be mindful of refrigeration issue. Don’t let your box of food sit on your doorstep for hours before you arrive home.

Tips for Food Safety

Here are some recommendations from the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention (CDC) regarding food safety with a delivery service:

• Don’t sign up for a subscription service unless someone is able to be home to refrigerate the food immediately.
• When unboxing your delivery, check the temperature of the food in the package.
• Cook your meals using safe temperatures, especially meats.

The CDC also recommends that when your food is delivered, take a close look at the box. Make sure there are no leaks or any damage to the package. If your food arrives at a temperature of 40° F or higher, notify the company’s customer service number immediately and do not eat any of the food.

As part of your research to pick the right delivery service for you, the CDC recommends that you call the company’s customer service department to ask how their food is packaged and delivered, as well as asking about their company’s food safety standards. Feel free to ask them how they handle deliveries that are delivered at an unsafe temperature or in a condition that makes your food inedible.

Taking all these steps will help prevent the chance that you or a loved one contracts a foodborne illness. If you or a loved one start to show signs of a foodborne illness, contact your primary care physician immediately.

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