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How Long Can Groceries Sit in a Hot Car?

While the warmer weather can make the running of errands all the more pleasant (you need not worry about snow, ice or freezing your face off), one thing we do need to consider is how hot temperatures can affect our groceries. When temperatures soar, all the food you've just purchased from the supermarket is basically a ticking time bomb for harmful bacteria growth. 
 
 
Bear in mind that on hot, sunny days, the temperature inside your car can soar to as high as 172°F - not ideal for foods like meat, fish, chicken or dairy. Once you open the windows or crank up the air conditioning, the temperature will slowly start to drop. But the inside of your car will still be more than warm enough for nasty bugs and bacteria to flourish on your food.
 
food, hot car

How long do you have?
Exactly how long do you have before your chicken cutlets or milk starts to go bad? This would very much depend on where you live and the weather that day. Since heat is a good medium for bacteria growth, you want to minimize it as much as you can. The less time it will take for you to travel between shopping and going home, the better. On the way home , be sure to not stop at any other location. So, if you need to make other stops do those before you go to the grocery store. 

 

Pack your groceries carefully
Ensuring that your food remains fresh means being smart about your shopping and packing. At the store, shop for meat and dairy products last, so that these items will spend the least amount of time in your cart. At the checkout counter, pack the cold items in an insulated bag with an ice pack. If your drive home is some distance away, it might be worth storing your stuff in a cooler. 

Packing in the car
Once you've reached the car, put your bags in the passenger area not in the trunk. The temperatures here are a lot cooler, even if you don't switch on the AC. Be sure to head straight home and get everything into the refrigerator or freezer. 

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