Summer temperatures in the south can be brutal on people and animals but food born bacteria love it! It allows bacteria in food to multiply rapidly. When temperatures reach 90 degrees or higher perishable foods only have 1 hour before they become unsafe. This can be a real concern if you live in an area that requires you to drive an hour or more round trip or if you make several stops to purchase your groceries as I do. If you don’t take precautions the food you just purchased may be unsafe by the time you get it home. It is also important to remember if you are making several stops the temperature in your vehicle can rise rapidly when you are in the store, so even if the temperature outside isn’t quite 90 degrees the temperature in your car may be much higher. If you are grocery shopping in high temperatures be sure to safeguard your food by:

• Bringing an insulated bag or cooler
• Filling said bag or cooler with ice or freezer packs (you can refill empty drink/water bottles with water and freeze them if you don't have freezer packs)
• Unloading and putting food in refrigerator ASAP