Attention! Five Types of Foods You Should Never Buy in Bulk
Bulk rice, nuts, and frozen fish balls all pose hidden health risks.
Bulk foods are sold in various supermarkets and wet markets, attracting a continuous stream of buyers. However, a recent article in the American magazine "Cooking Light" pointed out that from the perspective of food safety and nutrition, there are 5 types of foods that are best not to buy in bulk.
It is difficult for people to know the exact production date of bulk foods, as well as the time spent in transit and on the shelf, which can lead to health problems. Be very careful, especially for foods that are not suitable for long-term storage.
Grains. Bulk grains are prone to bacterial growth and significant nutrient loss. Because grains contain moisture, the relatively humid environment can lead to bacterial proliferation. Among them, the most harmful to the human body is a carcinogen—aflatoxin. Among grains, brown rice should never be bought in bulk. Although it is nutritious, its shelf life is very short, usually only half a year. In particular, its vitamins A and C will be completely oxidized after about three months of exposure to air, and their health benefits will be lost.
Cooking Oil. Most bulk cooking oils lack packaging labels, making them "three-no" products with no manufacturer name, address, production date, expiration date, or quality standards, posing serious health hazards. Do not buy them. It is especially unwise to purchase large quantities of oil at once. This is because, firstly, an opened bottle of oil is usually stored in the kitchen, where high temperatures and humidity can easily breed bacteria. Secondly, the fats in the oil are highly susceptible to oxidation and rancidity, which increases the risk of cancer. Therefore, Wang Donglan suggests buying cooking oil in small packages and finishing it within three months of opening.
It should also be noted that the shelf life of cooking oil is also related to its type. For example, olive oil can only be stored for 6 months, and peanut oil for only 3 months after opening.
Nuts. Because of their high oil content, nuts can easily go bad. Bulk nuts are in direct contact with the air, which not only accelerates their spoilage but also causes the loss of mineral nutrients such as calcium, zinc, and iron. Therefore, the shelf life of bulk nuts is usually only one or two months. It is best to buy nuts in small packages that can be finished in a short time.
Frozen Foods. Don't assume that frozen foods can be stored without concern for a long time; their actual shelf life is only one or two months. It is difficult to judge how long the wide variety of frozen foods in the supermarket freezer have spent in transit and storage. Therefore, no matter how busy you are, don't let frozen dumplings, frozen meat, etc., fill up the freezer. It is best to buy frozen foods and eat them immediately.
Seasonings. Whether it's bulk Sichuan peppercorns, cumin, or bottled chili sauce, their flavor generally fades and their seasoning ability weakens after about six months, and they are also prone to bacterial growth, which is very harmful to health. Seasonings must be bought in small quantities and of high quality. It is best not to buy them in bulk or in large bottles.