6.01 STORING FOODS

Storing Foods

• Types of storage places• dry storage• refrigerated storage• frozen storage

Storing Dry Foods

• Storage options:• pantry or cupboard• any cool, dry place that will not be moist and is

away from pet food, cleaning supplies, and other hazards

Storing Dry Foods

• Boxed and bagged foods not found in the refrigerated or frozen departments are safe to store in cupboards or pantries.

Storing Dry Foods

• Ask three questions:• Are boxed foods dry foods? • Are canned foods dry foods? • What other items need dry storage?

Storing Dry Foods Examples:

Pasta Rice Cereal Unprepared /boxed,

Flour Sugar Bread Non-opened canned

foods

Storing Dry Foods

How do I store dry foods after they have been opened, prepared or cooked?

Storing Dry Foods Opened, prepared or cooked foods from a

can, box, or bag not eaten immediately: must be refrigerated, frozen or kept hot for food

safety.

Storing Fresh Foods Some fresh foods are not actually

refrigerated in the store. What are examples of these types of fresh

foods? How should they be stored at home?

Storing Fresh Foods Examples of fresh foods that may be stored

as dry foods: Bananas Potatoes Onions, garlic Bakery foods: breads, cakes, and doughnuts. So…where can we store them?

Storing Fresh Foods Bananas may be stored on the countertop.

They will continue to ripen here. Potatoes, onions, garlic should be stored in

a cool, dry place away from the light. A pantry or cupboard works well.

Storing Fresh Foods Fresh foods that must be refrigerated for

storage: fresh fruits / vegetables fresh meats dairy foods.

Store these foods promptly.

Storing Frozen Foods

• What types of foods do we buy in the freezer section of the store?

Storing Frozen Foods• Foods found in the freezer section include:

• Convenience foods-pizzas, waffles • Frozen vegetables / fruits• Frozen pie crusts• Ice cream• Whipped topping• Novelty foods like frozen pops and ice cream

sandwiches• Breads• Juices• Meats

Storing Frozen Foods

• When I shop, should I select items to ensure they are solidly frozen for storage at home?

Storing Frozen Foods When shopping for frozen foods choose:

• Frozen foods last so they will stay frozen until stored at home.

• Frozen foods solidly frozen in the store without ice crystals on the outside of the packaging and loose-type foods like peas that are still loose in their package. This is an indication they have been kept properly frozen.

Storing Frozen Foods

What do I do if some items thaw before getting them stored?

Storing Frozen Foods• Properly thawed foods may be refrozen in the

packaging from the store, including meats. Thawing in a vehicle is NOT a proper thawing procedure. Foods needs to have been kept at 40° or below to be food safe.

• Partially thawed, very cold foods may be cooked and then frozen for later use.

• If in doubt, throw it out!

Storing FoodsRemember: Where we store foods at home is the same

way we found them in the grocery store! If you found it on a shelf, you can store it on a

shelf. If you pulled it from a refrigerated case, you

must refrigerate it promptly at home. If you found it in the frozen case, freeze it at

home.

Storing Foods To maintain food safety, frozen foods and

refrigerated foods need to be stored first. Then, canned items and other dry goods may

be stored in the appropriate location.

(For more info on Food Storage, see www.foodsafety.gov)