Keeping food fresh in summer heat: tips from store to fridge
As summer temperatures rise, food safety becomes crucial. Lidl shares practical advice on shopping, transporting and storing groceries to prevent spoilage.
With the weekend forecast promising significantly warmer weather in Latvia, supermarket chain Lidl reminds consumers of simple habits to keep food fresh. In hot conditions, even brief exposure to direct sunlight can affect food quality and safety.
Perishable items
Dairy products and sauces are most sensitive to heat and require constant cooling. Fresh meat and fish should be cooked immediately or frozen. Herbs last longer when placed in a glass of water or wrapped in a damp paper towel. Bread stored in plastic bags quickly becomes moist and may mold, so paper packaging or a cool place is recommended. Cut fruits like watermelon or melon spoil faster, so they should be sliced just before serving.
Shopping and transport
When shopping in hot weather, put cold and frozen items in the cart last, just before heading to the checkout. Keeping them together helps maintain coolness. A car parked in the sun can heat up to +50–60 °C, so park in the shade and make grocery shopping the last stop before going home. For longer trips, meat, fish and dishes with sauces can be safely kept up to two hours (only one hour at +30 °C). Use a cooler bag placed in the passenger cabin, not the trunk. In the cooler, layer items: cold packs at bottom and top, sensitive products in the middle.
Refrigerator storage
The fridge temperature should not exceed +4 °C. Overcrowded shelves prevent air circulation, leading to uneven cooling. Door shelves are the warmest part, so milk and eggs should not be stored there in summer. Store fruits and vegetables separately, ready-to-eat foods on upper shelves, raw items below. Place newer products behind older ones to use soon-to-expire items first. An open box of baking soda helps reduce odors.
