Shopping at a supermarket is one of the most typical routines that you’d for your household. With all the large establishments located practically almost everywhere today, the whole process of shopping for groceries has become a lot more convenient. However, while the convenience is there, one thing that these establishments might compromise is their cleanliness and safety. Many offer 24 hour shopping convenience and a lot of people flock them. So how do you make sure that they’re clean and safe? Remember that you probably buy all your food stuff from them. Here’s our guide on checking supermarket cleanliness and safety.

Check the floors and shelves. Are there any spills and grime on the floor? If there are, ask the nearest clerk so that they can clean up on Aisle 4! Don’t be pissed off if you see a lot of zones where you find those “Wet Floor” markers. That means that they constantly mop up floors to keep them sanitized. Check the shelves for any accumulated dust. Floors and shelves should always be kept spic and span.

Check the cold section. Make sure that all items are stacked below the cold line. This is the zone of effective refrigeration. If food items aren’t kept under refrigeration properly, bacteria may start to grow.

Check thermometers. Make sure that they’re temperatures (most modern refrigerators and freezers have built-in thermometers) do not exceed the recommended storing temperatures. Meat cases should display 28F to 38F. Dairy should be 35F to 45F. Processed meat like hams should still be kept under refrigeration.

Always check cans, jars and bottles if they’re safety buttons haven’t popped up. Sealed containers that have their button popped up may mean spoilage. Check several samples from the shelf before getting any. Chances are if one’s spoiled, the whole stock may also have some form of contamination. Also, never buy a sticky jar.

Check if the employees are clean and neat. Supermarkets should make sure. Check their aprons, vests and caps. These are the most often neglected pieces of apparel for supermarket clerks. If they’re spic and span, that means that the supermarket inspects their personnel.

Check the expiration dates on products. Make sure that none of the ones in display are due to expire any time soon. Likewise, check the manufacturing dates. Are they recent? Supermarkets that make sure that their products are fresh from the line are committed to give customers the freshest products.

If you have any concerns regarding these things and observe that your local supermarkets aren’t quite clean, talk to the manager and raise your concerns. Or if no action is taken, drop by your local cleanliness and safety inspection board. File a complaint.