In order to keep food fresh for longer, it is important to follow a few correct principles of storage. Find out which are the most common food storage mistakes!
Wrong order in the fridge
Certified food safety specialist Katie Heil emphasizes that one of the most common mistakes is incorrect storage of products in the fridge. “It is important to store the food in the right shelves of the refrigerator to reduce the formation of bacteria.” Fresh products, such as salads, should not be placed next to raw meat. Liquid, such as blood, can come out of the meat and get into salads, spoiling them and creating a good environment for bacteria. Eating “contaminated” salads poses a risk of food poisoning.
The expert recommends: food products that do not need to be thermally processed should be stored in the upper shelves of the refrigerator. In the lower ones, such products that need to be cooked before eating.
Put cooked food in a closed container!
It is important to store food in closed containers or bowls. If the food is not stored in this way, there is a risk that bacteria from adjacent products can enter it, thus polluting the already cooked food. Storing food in closed containers not only reduces the risk of bacterial formation, but also helps it stay fresh longer.
Choose the right dishes for storing food
The expert recommends that it is best to store food in airtight glass containers. Glass containers will be easier to maintain and use. Such containers can be washed in a dishwasher and can be heated in a microwave oven. Glass containers are much more convenient than plastic containers.
Not all products should be stored in the refrigerator
We put food in the refrigerator so that they stay fresh longer. However, there are a few products that should not be put in the refrigerator. For example, whole melons, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, citrus fruits. These products should not be put in the refrigerator, as they will lose their taste.
On the other hand, fruits such as nectarines, peaches, plums and avocados should be placed in the refrigerator when they are ready. This will prevent them from ripening too quickly or spoiling.
Which products should not be put in the door of the refrigerator?
Most often, when opening any refrigerator, we will see eggs or milk in its door. It turns out that these products should not be placed there. Why? Because products placed in the door of the refrigerator are subject to frequent temperature changes, which can cause them to spoil quickly. Milk, eggs and meat should be placed in the coldest part of the refrigerator – in the bottom shelf.
Incorrect refrigerator temperature
If you often notice that food spoils quickly or freezes in the refrigerator, you have set the wrong temperature. It does not matter in which shelf the products are stored, they should not freeze or spoil quickly. The expert emphasizes that the refrigerator should not be set lower or higher than 39°F. The freezer should be set to 0°F .