• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Wellness / Food / 5 Red Flags you Shouldn’t Ignore at The Grocery Store

5 Red Flags you Shouldn’t Ignore at The Grocery Store

grocery store

Ever been in the store and noticed a pack of chicken or a gallon of milk sitting out and thought that’s for sure going to make someone sick? I’m sure you have, we’ve all been there. Well, that isn’t the only red flag that you need to watch out for when grocery shopping. Pandemic or not, paying attention to these red flags the next time you go to the grocery store will prevent bacteria and food-borne illness.

1. Package Bloating

Have you been to the grocery store and noticed food items such as chicken or salad for sale in packages that are bloated or swelled up? This is a common phenomenon that is usually limited to places with a warm climate and limited cooling. However, when shopping you should steer clear of these items because they are a clear sign that you are purchasing food with bacteria. Bacteria thrives on the food in the packets producing gas. Because the gas cannot go outside of the sealed bag, it continues to accumulate inside, increasing the pressure, and bloating up the bag.

How does bacteria get in the package? There are several ways bacteria can sneak into packaging. One way is through the manufacturing process. The second way for bacteria to get into food bags is through a puncture caused during the transportation and handling of the product. Even when a puncture is detected, some sellers will re-seal the package instead of getting rid of it as a whole. Simply re-sealing a package does not allow the gas to come out, which causes the package to bloat.

2. Dented Cans

Although dented cans may be marked down and seem like a bargain, it is not worth the risk. Cans with deep dents, or bulges are a sign of botulism (a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves and causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death). Cans that have a sharp dent can be damaged at the seam, which allows bacteria to enter the can. If a can has deep dents (your finger can fit into), are bulging, rusting or have dents on the top or side seam, you should stay away from them. You should also steer clear of swollen, leaking or damp cans.

You May Also Like
7 Proven Ways to Cure an Upset Stomach

RELATED: The Unhealthiest Bread in the Grocery Store

3. Torn Or Leaking Packages

When selecting meat, you should make sure that it is cool to touch and thoroughly examine the package. If the packaging is torn or leaking, do not buy it. This is a clear way for germs to enter the package. Before placing these items in the cart, double bag them and keep them separate from produce to avoid cross-contamination.

When purchasing eggs, make sure they are clean and aren’t broken or cracked.

Additionally, before purchasing anything, you should make sure the safety seals haven’t been broken or tampered with.  A loose lid on a jar means the vacuum has been lost and the product may be contaminated. You should steer clear of these items and alert the store manager so that these items can be taken off the shelf.

You May Also Like
How One Woman Eliminated 50 Fibroids without Surgery!

Shop Black: Complete List Of African American Owned Grocery Stores & Farmers Markets

4. Cooked Seafood

You should only buy unwrapped, cooked seafood such as shrimp, crab or smoked fish if it is displayed in a separate case or a physically separated section from raw fish. Bacteria on raw fish can contaminate cooked fish. Additionally, when purchasing fish only do so from reputable sources such as grocery stores and seafood markets. Fresh fish should be refrigerated properly and have flesh that is shiny and firm not separating from the bone. The odor of the fish should be fresh and mild, rather than overly “fishy”.

Continue Reading

The Latest In Food

black coffee health benefits

5 Health Benefits Of Black Coffee

A lot of people start their days with a cup of coffee but in many cases, they’ve added sweeteners and other accompaniments. However, there may be more benefits to skipping all of that and drinking your coffee as black as read more about 5 Health Benefits Of Black Coffee
full body detox

The 13 Best Foods For Instant Full-Body Detox

What are the best detox foods? It can be tough to figure out just which foods will help with a successful cleanse. The trick is to understand the benefits of different choices, as well as the goals you're trying to read more about The 13 Best Foods For Instant Full-Body Detox

6 Reasons To Eat Flaxseed

For something so small, flaxseed has big benefits. Recent studies have shown that flaxseed, known to the world for thousands of years, may aid in lowering cholesterol, stabilizing blood sugar, reducing bone loss, promoting weight loss, increasing immunity, and fighting read more about 6 Reasons To Eat Flaxseed
black eyed peas benefits

Family Tradition: Health Benefits Of Black Eyed Peas

Do you know why Black people believe it's good luck to eat black-eyed peas on New Year's Day? As with most traditions, there’s a rich origin to the practice. Most Southerners will tell you that the act dates back to read more about Family Tradition: Health Benefits Of Black Eyed Peas
foods you should not refrigerate

5 Foods That Shouldn’t Be In Your Fridge

All foods do not belong in your fridge. Guess what? The refrigerator is not the go-to storage unit for all your produce. RELATED: Don’t Spoil Your Health! Toss These 5 Foods From Your Fridge Below are just some of the foods read more about 5 Foods That Shouldn’t Be In Your Fridge
healthy ingredient swaps

14 Healthy Ingredient Swaps For Your Favorite Holiday Recipes

It's not always easy to eat healthy when all of the “bad” food tastes so good. Things get even more difficult when the holidays come along and you want to enjoy your family’s favorite dishes without ruining your hopes of read more about 14 Healthy Ingredient Swaps For Your Favorite Holiday Recipes

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • Mo’Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: “I Love Us For Real”Mo'Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: "I Love Us For Real"
  • Monica Calhoun at 51: “Exude Beauty Inside, Manifest It Outside”Monica Calhoun at 51: "Exude Beauty Inside, Manifest It Outside"
  • 10 Signs You’re Living With Clogged Arteries 10 Signs You’re Living With Clogged Arteries
  • Taimak: The Last Dragon Lives 35+ Years Later!Taimak: The Last Dragon Lives 35+ Years Later!
  • John David Washington: “They Tried To Use My Name Against Me”John David Washington: "They Tried To Use My Name Against Me"

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.