In a nutshell: When shopping for food, you can use "Choose", "Separate" and "Safe Temperature" in the "Five Keys to Food Safety".
Choose
- Buy food from hygienic and reliable licensed shops.
- Do not buy food from unlicensed shops or questionable sources.
- Select fresh and wholesome food.
- Vegetables and fruits are not damaged or bruised.
- Dried items are not mouldy.
- Cans of food are not dented, bulging, damaged or rusted. Jars of food are not cracked or with a loose lid.
- Eggs are not cracked or leaking.
- Choose ready-to-eat, cooked or perishable foods that are stored correctly, e.g. sushi should be stored at 4°C or below, frozen chicken should be stored at -18°C or below.
- Do not buy food beyond its expiry date.
- Read food labels and follow directions.
- Buy food that has not passed its expiry date.
- When buying food, take dried items (including food and non-food items) first and frozen and chilled products later before checking out to reduce the staying time at the Temperature Danger Zone (4-60°C) to minimise possible hazards.
- Read nutrition labels to help make healthier food choices.
Separate
- Pick up prepackaged and canned foods first, shop for raw meat, poultry and seafood last.
- Keep raw meat, poultry and seafood separate from other food items in your grocery cart and shopping bags to prevent their juices from contaminating other food items.
- Pack foods separately from chemical agents to prevent them from being contaminated.
Safe temperature
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If long travelling time is expected, use ice packs to keep perishable foods cold.
- Store frozen and chilled foods in the refrigerator promptly to reduce the time they stay at ambient temperature to maintain their quality.