How to Avoid Contaminants in Packaged Foods This Festive Season

By Dr. Saurabh Arora , Managing Director, Auriga Research Private Ltd. : As the festive season unfolds, it brings with it a delightful array of foods to indulge in and celebrate. However, amidst the joy and indulgence, it’s crucial to remain vigilant about food safety, particularly regarding packaged foods.

Even the most carefully packaged products can harbor hidden contaminants, potentially jeopardizing health during this festive time. Here are some essential tips to help navigate packaged foods safely and ensure a joyous celebration.

Check for FSSAI License number and logo :

 The FSSAI has very specific regulations to ensure consumer safety, so first and foremost, make sure the FSSA logo and license number are displayed prominently on the packaging.

This gives you confidence that the company is licensed and must be adhering to certain basic practices to ensure food safety.

Check the dates :

More importantly, check the date on the Label of the package; it is of no use to eat that food, if it is expired or near to expiry date. It’s essential to distinguish between Use By dates, which indicate food safety, and Best Before dates, which relate to food quality.

“Use By” dates are all about safety – they tell you the last day a product is safe to consume.”Best Before” dates, on the other hand, focus on quality. They indicate the period during which the product remains at its best in terms of taste, texture, and nutritional value.

Read Labels Carefully

It’s important to understand that the nutritional label panel has some very useful information which protects health in general and food allergies in particular. One easy approach is to sum up all of the nutritional value claims per hundred grams of all the ingredients.

If you add it up to more than 100 grams, you will see that some companies are simply falsifying these statistics. This is a clear indication that they don’t take their quality seriously. Food products that contain a lot of food coloring should be avoided.

Check for Damage and Seal Integrity

Before buying any packaged food, it’s important to examine the packaging closely. Look for damages like cuts, holes, or any signs of bulging that would imply that the contents are compromised.

A bulging package may be an indication of fermentation or gas build-up that may lead to spoilage and tears would allow air and bacteria to penetrate the contents. In the same line, make sure to check the seal.

If the seal is not intact, it will expose the product to contamination risks which make it unfit for human use. If you are in doubt, it is best to be safe than sorry and choose a different product.

Store Food Properly

It would also be worth noting that when it comes to packed foods, following the storage instructions mentioned on the package is very critical. Whether it is a dark and cool place or the refrigerator, these details reduce spoilage.

Safety is also achieved in proper storage as well as taste and texture of the food so as to improve the festive mood. As soon as you buy a packaged food item, transfer the contents into a sealed glass container even if you don’t wish to finish the packet.

Be Mindful of Storage Conditions at Retail Outlets

Take note of how shops display their packed foods for sale while shopping. The items in question should be kept in a suitable environment that is also clean.

Search for evidence of hygienic methods being used in the workplace, such as organized food items on the shelf and employees using gloves when serving food.

At the same time, shelves with packed foods should not be overstocked because it has the risk of seals breaking and greater chances of contamination as well. If High risk foods such as dairy products aren’t stored properly in refrigerator units, it can spoil the food by developing harmful bacteria.

Be Wary of Online Purchases

With the increasing trend in making purchases through the internet and and quick commerce platforms, it is advisable to purchase from reputable dealers with positive feedback and one that has established a good name for the supplier – who mostly stocks fresh produce.

Shop around for suppliers and read their return policies, so you know what to do if your goods arrive in bad condition. Packaging needs to be intact to ensure that the products remain uncontaminated and unspoiled during distribution.

Remember, a little extra care can go a long way in safeguarding health and ensuring that the celebrations remain joyous and worry-free.

The festive season is meant for fun, laughter, and of course, delicious food. Enjoy the festivities with peace of mind, knowing that food safety is a top priority!

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