Food Freshness and Safety – The importance of packaging in today’s world cannot be overstated. Companies like TDI Packsys, https://www.tdipacksys.com/, that specialize in inspection systems and automation are really taking off, showing how seriously industries are taking quality and safety in packaged goods.
However, amid all this evolution in packaging technology, it’s important not to overlook the essentials right in our own kitchens: the food we store in our refrigerators. Just as companies invest in cutting-edge solutions to protect the integrity of their products, each of us can also take proactive steps to really master the art of refrigerator food storage and safety.
Simple changes can go a long way in keeping quality close to home. In this article, we will look at four tips that will help you perfect refrigerator food storage.
1. Utilize Refrigerator Zones
Each section of your refrigerator has a specific temperature, and when we keep food in its designated area, it stays fresh longer.
a. Upper Shelves
The upper shelves of the refrigerator have a higher temperature, so these shelves are reserved for items that are less likely to spoil, like packaged snacks, drinks, dips, and leftovers.
b. Middle Shelves
The middle shelf of the refrigerator has a moderate and consistent temperature, so it helps keep delicate items such as eggs, sour cream, and soft cheeses. This environment is necessary to maintain their freshness and safety because, at high temperatures, they can spoil, and at low temperatures, they lose their freshness due to freezing.
c. Lower Shelves
The lower shelves of the refrigerator are the coldest. You should keep food items like milk, meat, and curd here because these items do not spoil at very low temperatures and stay fresh.
d. Drawer
The refrigerator drawer has a unique environment. Generally, it has two sections, and you can set the humidity of these sections yourself. Vegetables go in the high-humidity section, while fruits are usually kept in the low-humidity section.
e. Door
The refrigerator door opens frequently and is subject to constant temperature fluctuations. It is the warmest part of the refrigerator, so you can use it to store well-preserved things, such as condiments, salads, ketchup, soda, and water.
2. Practice Food Rotation
Food rotation works on the principle of FIFO (first in, first out). According to this principle, the item stored first (first in) should be used first ( first out). This ensures food is consumed before it spoils.
3. Use Recommended Refrigerator Temperature
You should store food in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C). The reason is that temperatures between 40°F and 140°F are the danger zones where bacteria can grow rapidly. When food is stored at the recommended temperature, the chances of getting food-borne illnesses are significantly reduced.
4. Clean Regularly
A clean refrigerator is crucial for food safety and optimal performance. As the refrigerator is used a lot and usually, children stand with their doors open all the time, it gets dirty quickly and easily. A dirty refrigerator is a breeding ground for germs like salmonella, E. coli, and listeria. These germs cause food-borne illnesses, so it is better not to keep anything unwashed or dirty in the refrigerator and clean it regularly.
Food Freshness and Safety
Properly caring for what you keep in the refrigerator makes a difference for your health and wallet. Mastering refrigerator food storage and safety enhances the quality of your meals and reduces food waste. Take these pro tips to heart so you can continue enjoying fresher, safer food every day.
