Interactive tool on food safety

Safe Food Handling at the Grocery Store

Practicing safe food handling at the grocery store can help prevent foodborne illness.

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Dairy department

Older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems should avoid raw or unpasteurized dairy products, including soft and semi-soft pasteurized cheese, such as Brie, Camembert and blue-veined cheese. Go for Cheddar, Swiss or Parmesan!

Deli department

Use pre-packaged deli meats within 4 days, preferably 2-3 days, after opening; even if this date is different than the best-before date. Best-before dates apply to unopened packages only. Deli meats sliced at the grocer should also be eaten within 4 days, preferably 2-3 days.

Frozen food section

Buy cold or frozen food at the end of your shopping.

Meat department

Keep your raw meat, poultry and seafood cold. Refrigerate or freeze them as soon as you get home from the grocery store.

Plastic produce bags

Put raw food in individual plastic bags and pack them separately in your reusable grocery bags.

Shopping bags

If you use reusable grocery bags, make sure to use a specific bag or bin just for raw meat, poultry, fish and seafood. Label the bag with the type of food it carries.

Shopping cart

Keep your raw meat, poultry, fish and seafood away from other food in your grocery cart so you don't spread foodborne bacteria from raw food to ready-to-eat food.

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