Why Storage Temperature is so Important

Storing items properly prevents spoilage, bacterial growth, and mould. It also means you do not have to throw things out unneccessarily.

All too often items are stored at incorrect temperatures which means they spoil well before the expiry date, and in some cases are inedible.

How often have you bought chocolate that was melted, discoloured or tasted strange? How about sour yogurt, soft biscuits or cereals and rice with little insects? All this is caused by poor storage, the wrong temperature and high humidity.

The Maldives is a hot humid climate, which makes the transportation and storage of food and beverages a challenge. You often see boxes of food and cases of water left in the sunshine to ‘sweat’ and spoil, yet everyone takes it as an accepted norm! Why.

If you read the packet, it will tell you where and how it should be stored. If it says Cool and dry or Room temperature then it should all be with AC and under 25°C. But is it? Is the shop you are in cool, is the shops storeroom cool, clean, dry and free from pests?

 A lot of places store their products at high temperature, so even if their shops are cool, the product will already have started to spoil in the storage room. Places that use AC in their storage areas and keep their products at a good temperature have better quality products on their shelves. Chocolate is a great example, if you want good quality chocolate then buy from Euro Store or De Essence, as both store it properly. If you buy chocolate from other supermarkets or small shops you often find it is soft or discoloured as per the picture above.

Sterilac Yoghurt should be kept chilled, so if you see it on a shelf DO NOT BUY IT.

It is also wise to avoid the ‘special offer’ items sitting outside in the hot sunshine

HINTS & TIPS

·       Always check the packaging is secure, no tears or places where insects and dirt could have entered

·       Always check for signs of spoilage, discoloration, squashed items

·       Always check the date. If there is no date don’t buy it.

·       Never by anything that is past its expiry date

·       Check the label for storage recommendations. If it say,s ‘keep chilled’ and it is on a shelf – DO NOT BUY IT

·       Check the list of ingredients, the more ingredients, the less healthy it is.

For more information on Storage, check out our Resources section