How to Improve Food Safety in the Refrigerator
Tips for Improving the Safe Storage of Refrigerated Foods
Jul 26, 2009
Refrigerators are one of the most important kitchen appliances found in homes throughout the world. Perishable foods stored in a refrigerator stay fresher and last longer than food stored at room temperatures. While the lower temperatures help prolong the shelf-life of foods, there are several ways that refrigerators can be utilized and maintained to keep food safe for the longest possible period of time.
Keep the Refrigerator Temperature Cold and Constant
Keeping the refrigerator at a cold and constant temperature is essential in storing food safely for long periods of time.
- The refrigerator temperature should be 40 °F or below throughout the inside.
- Refrigerator and freezer doors should be kept tightly closed.
- Do not open refrigerator doors any more often than absolutely necessary and close the doors as soon as possible to help maintain the interior temperature.
A refrigerator thermometer can be used to track the temperature. If the power goes out but the temperature is still 40 °F or less when the power is restored, the food should be safe; however, if the temperature has been over 40 °F for more than two hours, perishable food should be thrown out.
Store Food for Safety in the Refrigerator
How and where food is stored in a refrigerator is an important component in food safety.
- Raw meats, such as beef, pork, poultry or seafood, should be stored in sealed containers or wrapped so that juices from the meats do not contaminate other foods.
- Utilize special compartments or crispers to prolong food life. Crispers with separate controls allow vegetables to be stored at a higher humidity while fruits may be stored at a lower humidity. Some meat drawers direct additional cool air into the compartment to keep the contents colder without freezing them.
- Perishable foods should be stored on refrigerator shelves instead of in the door. The temperature of door storage bins fluctuates much more than the interior shelves.
- Food lasts longer when cold air is allowed to circulate, so do not store so much food in the refrigerator that the air cannot circulate properly.
- Hot food may be chilled rapidly in ice or cold water before being stored in the refrigerator or it may be placed directly into the refrigerator while still hot. Covering the food will help it keep its moisture. Large portions of meat or a large pot of soup should be divided into smaller portions and placed into shallow containers.
Keep Food Safe While Defrosting
Most refrigerator-freezers are frost-free and do not require defrosting. Still, many units in use do require periodic defrosting so it is important to keep the food cold until the refrigerator or freezer is ready for use again.
- Place frozen or cold food in an insulated cooler with some form of cold pack or ice. If ice is used, try to seal the food to avoid getting it wet.
- If a cooler is not available, store the food in a sturdy box with a cold pack and cover the top with blankets to insulate it.
- Avoid the use of ice picks, knives or any type of electric heating tool. These could damage the inner lining and greatly reduce the operability of the refrigerator.
Keep the Refrigerator Clean to Improve Performance
Keeping the refrigerator clean is an important part of maintaining food quality.
- Wipe up spills immediately. Use hot, soapy water on the spill and rinse off the surface. Do not use chemical cleaners because the food and ice cubes could absorb the cleaner’s smell.
- Placing an open box of baking soda on a shelf will help to absorb odors and help prevent food from absorbing them.
- Dispose of food, which should no longer be eaten, on a weekly basis.
- Keep the front grill free of dust to allow air to flow through to the condenser. Periodically, the condenser coil should be vacuumed to remove dirt, dust or lint.
Prolong Food Use with Proper Use of Refrigerators
Refrigerators have come to be an essential part of most homes by allowing the life of perishable food to be prolonged. By keeping the temperature constant and allowing the air to circulate, sealing food properly, protecting food while defrosting and keeping the appliance clean, the length of time for safe food storage may be optimized and the refrigerator will provide many years of dependable service.
Sources:
- “Refrigeration & Food Safety”. United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. November, 2005. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
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