Buzz
From fresh produce like vegetables, meat, and fish to Tet delicacies and leftover cooked food, all are crammed into the refrigerator by families with the mindset of preserving food. While many are unaware that it could be a breeding ground for germs for the family.
1. Food Storage for Tet: Is the Fridge Truly Magical?
From fresh produce like vegetables, meat, and fish to Tet treats and leftover cooked dishes during Tet, everything gets crammed into the Tet refrigerator with the intention of food preservation. While many are unaware that it could be a breeding ground for germs for the family.
Cramming everything from A to Z into the refrigerator
Tet is a period of rest and family reunions for Vietnamese people. Thus, Tet meals are always more elaborate than usual. For city housewives, storing food for Tet is no longer unfamiliar, and buying Tet refrigerators has become a magical method for preserving food.
The Reality Behind Refrigerators: Food Preservation vs. Bacterial Growth
In reality, refrigerators serve as food preservation tools rather than bacteria killers. Dr. Doan Tuong Vi, Head of Nutrition Department at Hospital 198, points out common habits like storing meat from the market directly into plastic bags and then into the fridge, alongside yogurt containers or plates of leftover meat from previous meals, or bringing eggs straight from the market and storing them away in the fridge... are quite prevalent in households. In reality, the fridge still poses a risk of cross-contamination. The risk of poisoning can originate from the fridge if proper storage methods are not followed.
Raw meat, unwashed eggs, and opened milk create ideal environments for bacterial growth. Therefore, haphazardly placing everything into the fridge can turn it into a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to illnesses. Many people believe that storing food in the fridge guarantees safety, but that's not entirely true. At fridge temperature, microorganisms are only inhibited, not killed. Food still undergoes decomposition, albeit at a slower rate compared to outside environments. Overcrowding the fridge with too much food prevents proper air circulation, leading to increased temperatures in certain spots within the fridge, thus spoiling the food.
Safe Food Storage Practices During Tet
From the aforementioned points, it's clear that the fridge is not a magical cabinet for all types of food indefinitely. Therefore, homemakers need to pay attention to the following points to ensure that family meals during Tet remain safe and enjoyable.
Never mix raw and cooked foods. Food stored in the fridge should be kept in separate containers with tightly sealed lids. Cooked foods should be stored on the top shelf in the fridge's cool section. Raw items like meat and fish should be kept in the freezer compartment. Avoid overloading the fridge with too much food. Regularly clean the fridge, ideally every 2-3 days. If any food spills or leaks, it should be cleaned immediately. Additionally, regularly check the contents of the fridge, using items with a shorter shelf life first, and discard any items that are no longer safe for consumption.
Proper Storage of Fruits and Vegetables
Store fruits and vegetables in separate compartments and group them by type, such as apples with apples, carrots with carrots... Store leftovers in clean containers with tightly sealed lids or wrap them tightly with cling film. Divide leftovers into small containers to chill them faster. Leftover food should be refrigerated within 2 hours after cooking.
