How to prevent food from spoiling during heatwaves

Mexico has recorded heatwaves for several years now, and authorities have provided recommendations such as wearing lightweight, long-sleeved clothing, drinking water, or using sunscreen, but... how can you prevent food from spoiling during heatwaves? Here’s how! Remember that during spring and summer, high temperatures can accelerate food spoilage, increasing the risk of food poisoning. To ensure food safety during a heatwave, it is essential to implement good storage practices. Below, we share practical tips to prevent food from spoiling in extreme heat. You can also read: The 15 best summer recipesMaintain the cold chainTo ensure the next heatwave doesn’t catch you off guard, we recommend putting these tips to the test. Among all the measures you can implement, the most important is not to break the cold chain. That is, take cooler bags or ice chests to the market or grocery store. This will allow you to transport food easily while keeping its temperature low. On the other hand, when you shop, keep these tips in mind:Buy refrigerated or frozen products at the end.Get home as soon as possible to refrigerate them.Avoid exposing them to sunlight inside the car.Adjust the temperature of the refrigerator and freezerTo prevent food from spoiling during a heatwave, the refrigerator should be at 4 °C or lower, and the freezer at -18 °C. If necessary, use a thermometer to ensure that the appliance maintains the correct temperature, especially during the hot season.Store food correctlyWe know it’s very tempting to get home, open the refrigerator, and just throw everything in without paying much attention. However, you should be very careful when placing food, as the cold does not distribute evenly in all areas. Experts recommend the following:Store dairy products, meats, and fish on the coldest shelves of the refrigerator.Don’t overfill the refrigerator, as cold air needs to circulate.Use airtight containers to avoid cross-contamination.Do not leave food at room temperatureAnother of the worst mistakes we can make during a heatwave is leaving prepared food outside the refrigerator for more than two hours. Don't make this mistake and instead:Refrigerate leftovers as soon as they cool down.Smell and feel the texture of the food.Avoid preparing food well in advance if it cannot be stored cold.See more: Tips for identifying spoiled foodLearn preservation techniquesIn addition to refrigerating and freezing food, you can opt for other methods to preserve food during a heatwave:Vacuum sealing: reduces the proliferation of bacteria.Dehydration: ideal for fruits and vegetables.Picking and canning: perfect for prolonging the shelf life of ingredients like peppers.Plan a menuAvoiding kitchen waste and preventing food from spoiling is much easier if you plan a menu:Buy only what you need.Cook small portions to avoid leftovers.Cook the most delicate or ripe ingredients first.Extending the freshness of your food and preventing it from spoiling during heatwaves is not only a matter of organization but also of health. By following these tips that Kiwilimón has for you, you can avoid bad odors and other problems in the kitchen. Test these tips! Continue reading: What to do with food from the refrigerator if it spoils?