To stay healthy the first necessity is eating fresh, healthy and safe foods. Here we give you smart shopping guidelines to shop in a grocery store.

1. Shop only at stores that are maintained well and are clean. Especially when buying meat and poultry, make sure they are state-inspected. You should purchase fish at markets where supplies are made from state-approved sources.
2. Look for the “sell by” date, and buy the product before that date. Also, look for the “use by” date, and use the product by that date.
3. Do not buy cooked food displayed along with raw foods in the same case, because cross contamination may occur.
4. Also, don’t buy cans or glass jars with bulging lids, dents, or cracks. It can be a sign that the food in them contains harmful microorganisms. Before buying any bag or box, make sure there are no rips or tears.
5. Buy only meat, poultry, or seafood that is refrigerated or frozen. Do not purchase products that are slimy, have foul odor or appear discolored.
6. Purchase fruits and vegetables free of mold and decay. Avoid brownish, slimy, damaged or died-out products. Place fruits and vegetables in plastic bags. Also, do not place uncovered raw items on the checkout conveyor belt.
7. Arrange fish belly down, so melting ice drains away from the fish. Remember – fresh fish smells fresh and mild, not fishy or ammonia like.
8. Buy only pasteurized milk, juices, cheeses and cider. Pasteurization kills harmful levels of bacteria.
9. Purchase only grade A or AA refrigerated eggs with clean, uncracked shells.
10. If you are planning to buy fresh-cut, ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables, be make sure they are refrigerated or surrounded by ice.

Also read: Food Faddism and Food Labelling.