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As we're in a global health crisis, it's important that our groceries are not just healthy but also safe to consume.

One way to keep them fresh is by sanitizing them and storing them in a refrigerator. It's beneficial as it can prolong its shelf life especially now that everyone is trying to lessen the times of going out this community quarantine.

But the question is: are we doing it right?

Hotel executive chef and specialty diet consultant, Victor Barangan, shared with Tonipet Gaba how in an episode of New Normal: The Survival Guide series, Home Work.

Fruits

According to Barangan, separating the unripe fruits from the ripe ones is a must.

"Sa hilaw, pwede lang natin 'yang ilagay sa room temperature, 'yung medyo hinog naman na, normally, kinakain na, pwede natin ilagay sa ref para 'di naman na s'ya tuluyang mag-overipe," he said.

"Once na merong hinog na hinog diyan, tapos naisama sa ibang batch, ang tendency hihinugin niya lahat. Walang tapon dapat sa panahon ngayon kasi ginto ang pera," he further explained.

Barangan added that storing ripe fruits in the refrigerator does not only keep them fresh, but it can also preserve their sweetness.

Green, leafy vegetables

When it comes to green, leafy vegetables, the best way to keep them fresh is by wrapping them in an aluminum foil to prevent them from oxidizing.

Barangan said, "'Pag green, leafy vegetables kasi 'pag exposed naman s'ya sa chiller, napapansin n'yo, biglang nalalanta na lang. Tapos sa storage, pwede natin s'ya ibalot sa foil para 'di naman s'ya natatamaan ng hangin kasi minsan 'yun 'yung cause kung bakit s'ya nalalanta.

If aluminum foil is not available, coffee and milk packs which have a foil lining inside can be used to store green, leafy vegetables.

Breads and pastries

According to the chef, breads and pastries should be simply stored in the chiller.

"Ma-po-prolong ang shelf life n'yan siguro mga five to six days kaya pa 'yan, maganda pa," he assured.

Meat

We normally store meat in the plastic bag we bought them in but, apparently, this is a wrong practice according to Barangan. His recommendation is to store meat in a plastic container.

He shared, "Manipis kasi s'ya 'pag nag-freeze 'yan sa freezer tapos 'pag binaklas mo, ang tendency baka mabutas lang o kaya 'pag tinamaan ng ibang frozen items, baka masira lang din so we need a sturdy plastic."

Barangan added that meat must only be stored for a week.

"May diperensya kasi kung fresh natin s'ya nabibili. Ang sa 'kin dahil nabibili natin s'ya na fresh, let's just store it for a week," he said.

Watch Barangan's interview in Home Work above.