Final answer:
Raw beef steaks can be stored on the same shelf with foods like potatoes, bananas, beans, seeds, and nuts, as these typically have a lower risk for foodborne illness and do not require cooking.
Step-by-step explanation:
Safe Food Storage Practices
When considering the safe storage of raw foods, such as placing raw beef steaks on a shelf, it's imperative to store them with foods that have similar safe cooking temperature requirements to prevent cross-contamination. Vegetables and fruits have a lower risk of becoming a source of foodborne illness when consumed raw compared to raw meat. Therefore, foods like potatoes, bananas, beans, seeds, and nuts can generally be stored safely on the same shelf as raw beef steaks. However, they should not come into direct contact with the raw meat and proper hygiene practices should be followed. For example, ensure that any raw meat juices do not drip onto the other foods. Foods like raw beef should not be stored with items that are often eaten without cooking such as salad dressings, sandwiches, or raw dairy products to prevent the risk of bacterial illnesses caused by organisms such as Salmonella or E. coli, which can be found in undercooked or raw animal products.
Raw beef and other raw meats should be stored in a way that their juices cannot drip or spread to other foods, especially those that will be consumed raw. As a best practice, it is advisable to store raw meats on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator to reduce any risk of cross-contamination.