1. SELECTING FOOD 1

2. Canned Food Look for undented, nonbulging, rustfree cans
Check for sell-by or expiration dates

3. Boxed/Packaged Food Look for uncrushed, unopened containers
Check for sell by or expiration dates 3

4. Fresh Food Eggs-look for uncracked, clean shells
Check for sell-by dates
Dairy-look for unopened containers
Check for sell-by or use by dates 4

5. Frozen Food
Look for loose content, no ice crystals on outside of container, and no torn packaging
Check for sell by or expiration dates 5

6. Fruits
Choose slightly firm, heavy fruits that are in season for best value
Look for good color and no bruising
Some fruits can be bought before being completely ripe-examples are avocadoes, bananas, mangoes, papayas, peaches, and pears 6

7. Vegetables Look for good color, nonwilted vegetables
Buy in season for best value
Buy medium sized, heavy vegetables
Avoid sprouts on root vegetables 7

8. Meats and Poultry
Look for unopened, non-leaky packaging (if it leaks, ask butcher for paper towels/bag)
Look for sell by dates-for freshest, look for packages with later dates
Bargain bin meats, check for good color and odor, use immediately or freeze 8

9. Meats and Poultry…cont’d
Check for freshness and leanness
Beef-cherry red, little fat
Pork-pink to red, little fat
Lamb and veal-pink, little fat
Chicken and turkey-dark and white meat, little fat 9

10. Shellfish and seafood
No odor, tightly closed bivalves, firm flesh on shrimp, crab, and lobster
Fish-bulging eyes, firm skin, red gills no odor 10