Recently, we received a call from a customer who had purchased a freshly cooked food item. The customer shared that seven days later, after storing it in the refrigerator, the food had an unusual smell.
We’d like to take this opportunity to share some food safety tips that can help prevent this from happening.
At Alima’s, our hot food items (excluding frozen convenience packs) are made fresh and are meant to be enjoyed immediately, either when you get home or later that same day. If we know you’re planning to eat it another day, we’re happy to offer tips to help keep it safe for later.
Once food cools, bacteria can begin to grow. This happens slowly at first, but if the food isn’t kept hot (at or above 60°C) or refrigerated properly (at or below 4°C), bacteria can multiply quickly.
Here are a few important tips:
• Refrigerate or keep hot: If you’re not going to eat the food right away, refrigerate it promptly or keep it warm in the oven.
• Avoid overloading your fridge: A packed fridge or frequent opening can cause the temperature to rise, making it harder to keep food safe.
• Use proper containers: Small sealed containers can trap heat. If you’re storing something like a curry, transfer it to a glass container, allow it to cool slightly, and then refrigerate.
• Freeze for later use: If you plan to eat the food several days later, freeze it and reheat thoroughly in a pot. (Microwaving can sometimes affect the flavour, especially with items like chicken.)
Please also avoid leaving food in a hot car or on the kitchen counter for long periods.
At Alima’s, we don’t use preservatives in any of our products—not even our breads or pastries—so safe storage is key.
Thank you for your continued support. We wish you a safe and happy summer!
— The Alima’s Team
