 It's kind of a foolproof way to make sure that you don't cross-contaminate and you're not paying attention. And put away food as soon as possible after the meal is over. So important if your grub is outdoors in the hot summer sun. Barbara V.A., Arizona News Radio. And when they say put away your food, do they mean eat it? Some people refer to it like that. Put it away. Put that food away. No, they mean to refrigerate it, of course.