How to keep food fresh in the refrigerator

It is essential to put order in your refrigerator to maintain not only the freshness of the food and other items you store in it but to keep your family’s health safe too.  

When cooking for a family meal, it is a must to have the freshest ingredients as it contributes to the making of a fine and healthy dish. Thus proper storage should be observed to avoid food to spoil and to get rid of bad smells and contamination.

Here are suggestions on how to keep food fresh in your refrigerator.

Always wash eggs before storing it in its designed area. Salmonella is a bacteria we can get from raw unwashed eggs.

Butter and other fats should be kept in covered containers or in their original containers once opened. 

When storing cooked food such as viands or desserts, let it cool down first then place it in a covered container, never place it inside the fridge in an open dish.

Cakes and breads should be wrapped properly.

Remember that only the ripest fruits should be kept in the fridge not only to keep it fresh but also to stop its ripening process.

Keep the sweets, desserts and dairy away from meats as they take to smells swiftly.

Position items that are frequently used up on the top shelf, cooked food on the middle shelf while fruits and vegetables must be kept in the crisper drawer.

Make sure the raw meat is clean – blood and juice removed then wrap it in freezer wraps like ziplock bags and place them at the bottom part of the freezer. Place ice cream and frozen fruits on top of it.

Lastly, it is important to leave space around the food to help the cold air circulate. Keeping the refrigerator full but not overcrowded will consume less energy.  An empty fridge tends to lose more cold air thus consumes more energy, likewise with an overcrowded one as the fridge’s motor will work harder to keep the items cool. It is recommended to use ice cubes and water containers to fill empty space. 

Photo credits:  stopfoodwaste.ie