How to keep baby food safe

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Good hygiene is very important when you feed your baby, so always wash your hands and preparation surfaces before you start. Bacteria that multiply in warm milk can cause severe illness, which is why bottle sterilising is recommended through the first year. Until your baby is 8 months, it's best to sterilise bowls and spoons, too.

What about warmed food?

Aim to feed your baby the food you've made as soon as it's cooled to just warm. On a warm day, some types of food spoil in less than an hour. If you've made up a batch of purées, freeze them as soon as they're cool. If you use an ice-cube tray, pop out the cubes when they've frozen and store in a freezer bag, labelled with the date.

Opened food

In covered containers, food can stay in the fridge for up to 24 hours. But if you've heated it once, don't heat it again. As with fresh food, an open jar of baby food can be kept in the fridge ready for the next meal.

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