Sweden braces for summer food spoilage during 'rotting months'

STOCKHOLM – Sweden is entering the traditional period known as the "rotting months," a time when food spoils more quickly due to high temperatures and humidity. While traditionally linked to late July and August, experts emphasize that these conditions can occur throughout the summer.

“

But rotting periods have no start or end; they can occur throughout the summer when it is very hot and humid.

Ellen Edgren, a unit manager at the Swedish Food Agency, explained that the combination of heat and moisture creates an ideal environment for microorganisms like bacteria, yeast, and mold to thrive in food. Chilled items such as milk, meat, and fish are particularly susceptible to warmth, while high humidity can lead to mold growth on dry goods like bread and on fruits and vegetables.

To combat spoilage, Edgren advises storing perishable items like berries, fruits, and vegetables in the refrigerator, and keeping bread as dry as possible, ideally portioned and frozen. It is essential to maintain cold foods cold and hot foods hot, ensuring that refrigerated items are not left at room temperature for more than two hours. Maintaining a refrigerator temperature of four degrees Celsius is also recommended.

“

Therefore, it is important to store berries, fruits, and vegetables in the refrigerator. Bread should be kept as dry as possible, preferably in the freezer and ideally portion-packed.

Edgren also highlighted the risks associated with specific bacteria. Listeria, found in fish, can cause illness, especially in vulnerable groups. Campylobacter, commonly found in chicken, necessitates thorough cooking and strict hygiene practices during handling. She noted that while cooking kills bacteria, consumers should "look, smell, and taste" foods they are unsure about, especially those past their "best before" date. However, items past their "use by" date must be discarded as they can become harmful.

“

Generally, we advise looking, smelling, and tasting a food item if you are unsure, for example, if it has passed its best before date. Food items that have passed their use-by date, however, must be thrown away because the food can become harmful to health. Then you should not eat the food.