5 ‘iwas-panis’ tips to prevent food from spoiling in hot weather

Food tends to go bad a lot faster in hot weather.

To avoid getting sick from eating spoiled food, we often ask: Is it safe to eat something that's been exposed for more than two hours? Can I put something in the refrigerator while it's still hot? How long do I have until something goes bad?

An expert on food safety and hygiene shared some "iwas-panis" tips on GMA-7's "Unang Hirit."

Don't put hot or warm food in the ref

Ever wonder why your parents are so against putting hot food in the refrigerator?

According to food safety and hygiene consultant Glenn Hyde dela Cruz, hot food would raise the temperature inside the compartment, which puts the other food and the appliance itself at risk.

Make sure the container is clean

Don't just pull any container out from storage, dump your food inside, and throw it in the refrigerator.

Dela Cruz urged viewers at home to take the extra precaution of double-checking the container, and making sure it's properly-sealed to prevent contamination.

Don't leave food out for more than 2 hours

Always keep in mind that food left exposed on the table for even just a few hours can be "potentially unsafe."

According to Dela Cruz, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises against eating food left in room temperature for longer than two hours.

Don't just rely on the smell

A person can usually tell food is no longer safe to eat just by the taste, smell, or a visible change in its appearance.

However, Dela Cruz warned that there are also some microbes that don't change the taste or smell of the food, but are still potentially harmful to the body.

Be smart about it

We should pay closer attention to our food supply with the economic uncertainty amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, now is also not the time to have a medical emergency like food poisoning.

"If you think (it's possible food may be unsafe to eat) just by the smell, it might be best not to eat it and leave it to chance," Dela Cruz said. – Margaret Claire Layug/RC, GMA News