Final answer:
Proper storage in a refrigerator involves placing ready-to-eat foods at the top, fruits and vegetables in drawers below, and raw meats at the bottom to prevent contamination. Temperatures should be kept at or below 4 degrees C for the fridge and below -18 degrees C for the freezer. Refrigeration slows but does not kill bacteria, so correct food handling and prompt refrigeration or freezing after use are essential.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proper Storage in a Refrigerator
When organizing a refrigerator for both food safety and quality, it is important to store food in the correct order from top to bottom. Starting at the top:
- Ready-to-eat foods or leftovers should be placed at the top. This prevents contamination from raw foods that may drip or overflow.
- Fruits and vegetables can be stored below, in designated drawers, to maintain short-term temperature stability and ensure that they are kept away from meats to prevent cross-contamination.
- Raw fish, meat, and poultry should be stored at the bottom of the refrigerator to prevent their juices from dripping onto other foods. Long-term storage of such items should be avoided, as their storage life is relatively short, usually only a few days.
Regular handwashing and post-preparative stability of food, meaning ensuring that food is promptly refrigerated or frozen after preparation or serving, are key to preventing foodborne illnesses. It's crucial to maintain the refrigerator's temperature at or below 4 degrees C (40 degrees F) and the freezer's temperature below -18 degrees C (0 degrees F) for the safety of the stored foods. Remember that refrigeration slows but does not kill bacteria. Some microbes may be preserved and can become active again once thawed. That's why it's essential to thaw foods properly - in the refrigerator, under cold running water, or in the microwave - and to cook food to an internal temperature that is sufficiently high to kill any bacteria present. After cooking or serving, any perishable leftovers should be refrigerated promptly to maintain safety and quality.