Originally Posted by [url=http://www.newswire.co.nz/main/viewstory.aspx?storyid=346083&catid=0
Future News[/url]]A study by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research has concluded that storing meat in chilly bags makes a dramatic difference in keeping it cold.
Scientists conducted experiments with raw meat being left on the back seat of a hot car for several hours, and found that it rose in temperature to 35 degrees Celsius after 90 minutes.
Meat left in the car boot rose to 21 degrees, while there was only a marginal increase in the temperature of meat stored in chilly bags or insulated with ice packs.
The scientists say although the cooking process kills most bacteria that would grow on food left in a car longer than two hours, spores and some toxins would survive.
The Food Safety Authority says chilled foods that gets warmer than four degrees centigrade, must be refrigerated within two hours to prevent bacteria growing.