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Shopping for food

Carefully checking the labels on foods and following the instructions is an important way of reduce your chances of becoming ill through food poisoning.

All perishable foods are required by law to be labelled with a 'use-by' date (Food Labelling Amendment Regulations, 1990).

Check these carefully and follow the storage instructions.

Remember, if food is not stored as outlined on the label, it may not keep as long as the 'use-by' date.

It is illegal for a shop to sell foods after the 'use-by' date has expired.

The 'best before' date mark is used on other foods which can safely be kept for longer, such as frozen, dried and canned foods. 'Best before' is only a guide, and foods marked in this way may still be safe to eat after this date, but may no longer be at their best.

While transporting foods home always ensure meat and poultry is properly wrapped up.

Raw food should be kept separate from cooked ready to eat foods.

Pack chilled and frozen foods together if possible and get it home and into a fridge or freezer as soon as you can.