Buzz
Leaving uncovered leftovers, letting perishables linger too long in the fridge... these misguided habits lead to food deterioration, resulting in severe poisoning.
1. Preserving Food in the Refrigerator: A Gateway to Family Health
Nowadays, most households have a refrigerator, but not everyone knows how to use it properly. Remember, not all foods are suitable for fridge storage, and each type of food requires different preservation methods.
Foods stored in the refrigerator become toxic if not preserved correctly. To avoid health issues, people should avoid the following mistakes:
Leaving leftovers uncovered when placing them in the fridge
Many individuals have the habit of placing leftover food in the fridge without sealing it, and this unintentional practice has various negative impacts on health. Leaving food uncovered is a potential source of digestive system diseases.
Moreover, the leftovers are prone to contamination by parasitic bacteria transferring from different types of food, causing many dangerous diseases. Additionally, if not sealed properly, food odors emanate unpleasantly throughout the fridge.
Therefore, when storing leftovers in the fridge, it is advisable to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a well-covered container.
Not washing meat before placing it in the freezer
Many people have the habit of buying a large quantity of meat at once and storing it in the freezer for gradual consumption. However, before putting all that meat in the freezer, people often forget an essential step – washing the meat.
It's important to note that meat purchased outside may be contaminated and has passed through many hands, not to mention the uncertainty about its origin. Therefore, if you don't clean the meat before storage, bacteria will thrive. That's why it's crucial to wash the meat after purchase, let it dry or pat it dry, then put it in a bag before freezing.
Putting thawed food back into the freezer
Many individuals have the habit of placing thawed food back into the freezer without realizing that this practice inadvertently multiplies bacterial growth significantly.
After thawing, the cells of the food are somewhat broken and no longer as fresh as they were originally. If you continue to freeze them, the remaining cells will continue to break. This is the reason why bacteria find a more favorable environment to thrive in the food.
Therefore, it's advisable to store thawed food in separate small bags to ensure using it all after thawing. For any unconsumed food, it's best to discard it.
Storing food for too long in the refrigerator
Many of us believe that keeping food in the refrigerator is 'safe' and immune to spoilage since the fridge can inhibit the bacterial reproduction rate. However, storing food for an extended period poses a risk of safety loss, leading to potential poisoning and nutrient depletion.
Health experts recommend each family to store food in the fridge for no more than 5 days, including frozen items like meats and seafood. Fresh vegetables and fruits should only be kept in the fridge's cool compartment for 4 to 5 days.
For cooked food, such as soups, they should only stay in the fridge for about 24 hours. Stews and savory dishes shouldn't exceed three days, and they should be stored in the coldest section of the fridge. Avoid freezing cooked meat for too long, as it may still cause digestive issues even after being stored in the fridge.
Incorrect placement of food items in the fridge
Similar to other areas in the house, the fridge also needs to be organized logically and neatly. Each type of food is suitable for a specific coldness level. Proper placement preserves flavor and extends storage time.
The most important aspect of fridge storage is ensuring that all items receive the necessary cold airflow. Items meant for long-term storage should be placed close to the cold source (the back of the fridge) to maintain a stable temperature. Avoid placing large containers as they obstruct the cold airflow.
The upper shelf, which is less cold, is ideal for storing eggs, milk, water, and fruits. The bottom, coldest section is perfect for keeping fresh vegetables and perishable items.
Inappropriate Temperature Settings in the Refrigerator
When we first acquire a refrigerator, the temperature is usually factory-set, leading many users to believe no further adjustments are necessary. Unfortunately, this assumption causes many households to overlook the importance of aligning the temperature with the refrigerator's food storage needs.
The refrigerator temperature depends on the purpose of each compartment and the quantity of food inside. If the temperature is too high, food preservation is compromised, leading to rapid spoilage. Conversely, excessively low temperatures risk freezing the food, consuming more electricity, and harming the quality of the food.
Therefore, when setting the refrigerator temperature, it's crucial to remember that the chilled compartment should be set between 1.7 and 5 degrees Celsius, while the freezer compartment should range from -18 to 0 degrees Celsius. If your refrigerator includes a fresh food compartment, set it between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius, with the cooling compartment at around 0 degrees Celsius.
