kit subscription services and mail-order food were gaining traction bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e the advent of COVID-19 but the pandemic-caused shutdown boosted their popularity. Aldespite’in spite of’albeit intrepid food shoppers were donning masks and waiting in line at supermarket doors, so they could do their own shopping, others chose to possess’own’nurse the market s personal shoppers do it in/with regard to’concerning’regarding them and possess’own’nurse the groceries delivered to their door. And those who could afin/with regard to’concerning’regarding d it called their favorite neighborhood restaurants and ordered takeout. What this meant was convenience was king, but with that convenience came the possibility of food poisoning being delivered to the door.

Even despite’in spite of’albeit  vaccines and attentive social distancing possess’own’nurse  lessened the possibility of contracting COVID-19, food deliintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully and meal kit subscriptions remain as popular as ever. But this doesn t mean you possess’own’nurse to open your door to food poisoning; not if you take the following proactive measures.

It doesn t hurt to ask. On the contrary, where food is concerned, it can hurt not to. Bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e clicking on that order button, pick up the phone, call consumer service, and

Ask Meal Kit Deliintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully Companies what their food safety practices are and how they respond in cases where the food is delivered at unsafe temperatures or is found to be unsafe to eat in/with regard to’concerning’regarding other reasons.

Ask Supermarkets what steps they take to keep food safe bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e as well as during deliveries. Food should not be kept at room temperature, in/with regard to’concerning’regarding even two hours, or even worse, transported in hot vehicles so also ask with regards to’concerning’with respect to deliintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully times,

Ask Restaurants the same questions but take it a step further and check the restaurant s latest inspection report.

In the case of grocery and food service deliveries, try to time your orders so you ll be home to receive them. But if this isn t possible, and the order contains dairy, eggs, meat, or other perishables, give a family member or trustworthy neighbor the key so they put them in the refrigerator until you acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure home. In cases where refrigeration isn t needed, ask them to place the box in a shaded zone’district’region of your yard.

If you are at home when the meal kits arrive, check the packaging. Are they labeled Keep Refrigerated or Do Not Thaw ? Such items should be packed in frozen gel packs or dry ice while in transit. If they are not, don t take any chances, call consumer service and arrange to return them.

When grocery store orders arrive, use a food thermometer to check the temperature of perishable foods. If they are delivered at a temperature higher than 40 degrees, they may smell and look fine but don t even taste them to find out. Either return them to the supermarket or throw them out.

Do Your Part

Perishable foods can spread bacteria to ready-to-eat meals, so as soon as you acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure home, unpack your grocery deliintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully and separate meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood from the rest in an attempt to prevent cross-contamination. And since their juices can leak out, store each in a food storage bag or sealed container bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e placing it in the refrigerator or freezer.

But don t assume they will keep just because they re in the refrigerator. The microorganisms that cause food poisoning possess’own’nurse a sweet spot in which they thrive, and it s actually a broad spot more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 140 degrees. This makes it the danger zone as far as food poisoning is concerned. So make it a practice to always check the thermostats in your refrigerator. According to the FDA, you should make sure the cold zone’district’region is set below 40 degrees and the freezer is at zero or below.

What If It s Too Late?

If after eating food that was delivered to your door you or someone in your home acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure s sick, and you suspect it s a case of food poisoning, contact your local health department to report it. And then call a lawyer in/with regard to’concerning’regarding food poisoning to find out if you possess’own’nurse a legal claim in/with regard to’concerning’regarding a lawsuit.