IMPORTANT TIPS TO CONSIDER WHILE BUYING FOOD ITEMS

WHAT CONSIDERATIONS SHOULD I MAKE WHILE BUYING FOOD ITEMS?

Here are some tips:

1. POINTS TO CONSIDER WHILE BUYING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Look for well ripe, seasonal fruits and vegetables that are free from any infestation.
Go for dark green vegetables. They have higher nutritional value. Choose fruits that are firm to touch not droopy ones. Don’t buy droopy, wrinkled fruits and vegetables or that which is infested with worms etc. It’s good to check a random fruit before buying to pre-check the quality. Do check for any moldy growth or rot, smut, and mildew on the surface. Smell the fruit or vegetable before buying. The odor has a lot to tell about its quality. Over-ripe fruits should also be avoided.


2. POINTS TO CONSIDER WHILE BUYING MILK PRODUCTS

Do check if the pack is puffed. If you find the pack puffy, don’t buy. Check the ‘Best Before Date’ before buying any of the milk products. The packaging must be good to avoid any kind of leakage.
AVOID: Any product that has a bad odor. If milk is having a sour taste never consume it. While buying cottage cheese check if it is too slimy to touch and sour in taste. If yes, do not buy.

3.POINTS TO CONSIDER WHILE BUYING NON-VEG FOOD ITEMS

Fish should be fresh having bright eyes. For meat items check for pink fresh flesh and incase you’re buying a frozen non-veg item, it is extremely necessary to check the temperature of storage. AVOID: Buying fish with poor flesh quality and in which flesh easily separates from bones. Press the fish with your finger and see if it creates a depression on it which remains as it is even when the finger is removed. It’s a sign of poor quality fish. Smell indicates quality of non-veg item, a bad staling odor suggest poor quality. Don’t buy eggs that float on water and with stains over it. Bad odor indicates rotten egg.

4.POINTS TO CONSIDER WHILE BUYING PULSES AND CEREALS

Look for fortified cereal items. All grains should be of similar size. AVOID: Buying loose cereals and pulses as there is higher chance of adulteration and infestation. Always look for any kind of infestation, or presence of small stones before buying. Lastly, do check the odor before purchasing.

5.POINTS TO CONSIDER WHILE BUYING FATS, OILS AND NUTS

Its best to buy packed vegetable oil and nuts with proper intact packaging.
AVOID: Buying loose oil as there is a huge chance of adulteration. Don’t buy any nut having a rancid smell in it.

6.POINTS TO CONSIDER WHILE BUYING SPICES AND CONDIMENTS

Best is to buy packaged spices and condiments. The outer cover should be intact. There should be no mold growth or insect infestation inside. Check the ‘Best Before Date’ before buying. Many times it’s seen that these spices and condiments are adulterated with artificial colors, so always buy from a trusted brand. Best way is to buy whole spices and grind it for consumption at home.

7.POINTS TO CONSIDER WHILE BUYING FROZEN AND PACKAGED FOOD ITEMS

The packaging should be intact and there should be no leakage. Avoid puffed, deflated packaged products. Bad smell, cloudy surface and pale color is a sign of inferior product.