Shoppers buying meat such as chicken, bacon and mince from the supermarket have been told the correct way to store it to avoid it from spoiling.
Storing your meat safely in a fridge or freezer not only helps it last longer, but it can prevent bacteria from growing and stop you from getting food poisoning.
If meat is not cooked or stored properly, it can cause salmonella, e. coli and campylobacter, causing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
With this in mind, supermarket giant Morrisons has offered some valuable advice on how to store your meat safely.
In an effort to stop food waste and promote helpful storage solutions, Morrisons’ food waste expert Fiona Sullivan has shared some useful tips on its website, including the correct way to store raw meat.
Chicken
Raw chicken should be covered and placed in a meat drawer is possible, according to Fiona.
She said: “Chicken must be kept refrigerated and ideally covered until needed. Store it in the meat drawer or at the bottom of the fridge where it’s the coldest.
“If you’re unlikely to eat the whole pack before the ‘use by date’, it’s fine to freeze.
“You can freeze in the pack, or to minimise freezer burn you may want to place the pack in an airtight container. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge and use the same day.”
Bacon
According to Fiona, bacon should be kept in the coldest section of the fridge.
“Bacon should be kept in the meat drawer, or at the bottom of your fridge, as this tends to be the coldest section. It will freeze well.
“Freeze it in the pack, or to minimise freezer burn you may want to place the pack in an airtight container. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge before cooking.”
Mince
According to the food expert, mince should be covered and also stored in the coldest part of the fridge.
“Mince must be kept refrigerated and ideally covered until needed. Store it in the meat drawer or at the bottom of the fridge where it’s the coldest.
“If you’re unlikely to eat the whole pack before the ‘use by date’, it’s fine to freeze.
“You can freeze in the pack or to minimise freezer burn you may want to place the pack in an airtight container. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge and use the same day.”
