Are You a Hot Head, or a Cool Cat?

It’s summer, and the heat is about to be intense for some of us. Temperature fluctuations wreak havoc on the efficacy of many things: insecticides, insect activity, computers, the utility grids, people, and food. Especially food that’s packed in our lunchboxes. Food safety is important, not just in hot weather, but all the time.

As pest professionals, we know where the best food is, because we provide pest management services to those restaurants, bistros, coffee shops, and taco trucks. We also know how to protect that food. Temperature matters. Hot food stays HOT! Cold food stays COLD! It’s best not to stack drippy foods over solid foods. That means don’t store raw steaks and chicken on a shelf above the produce.

When choosing foods to pack in our lunch boxes (is that still the relevant term?), food safety should be referenced. Using ice or a hot pack accordingly can keep your sustenance safe for consumption. (We need to finish our service routes) In warm temperatures, most of my colleagues would say that fruits, vegetables and cheese are the snack of choice. Watermelon or celery has high water content and can help with hydration. One individual says soup in a thermos during winter months is a favorite.

When was the last time you checked the expiration dates on your packaged snacks? Yes, your favorite granola bar has a Use By date. While the day of expiration might not make this treat unfit to eat, it could give insects a chance to devour it before you do. Don’t give pantry pests a chance to enjoy your cheese crackers. Practicing First In, First Out (FIFO) in your own pantry helps you remember which items are oldest and should be used first.

Practicing food safety isn’t just for manufacturing plants. It’s for us all. Food poisoning cases have been linked to a variety of foods. Your favorite fruits, cheese, and ice cream are some of the food products found to have been the cause of illness. Keep food in prime conditions. Stay healthy. Are you Team Hot or Team Cold?