AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Expert: Carol Schlitt Date: 7/2/2008 Subject: storing food in a fridge
Question hi there, i was wondering if you could tell me which shelf is for which food in a fridge? eg meat on the bottom shelf so where does everything else go?please could you reply before sat? thank you
Answer Hi Louise,
Top shelf -- fruits (except apples). Next shelf store store butter/margarine and cheese tightly sealed in foil or plastic wrap.
Bottom shelves -- store all meats as it's the coldest spot in the refrigerator. Low placement will also prevent any bacteria-laden juices from dripping onto other foods.
To keep eggs fresher longer, store low and in the carton they came in -- not the cute egg trays often found in the door. And keep the carton shut to avoid odor absorption from other foods.
Separate large amounts of leftovers into small, shallow containers and store on middle to lower shelves.
Though milk containers may fit snugly in the side door, this isn't an ideal place for storage. Milk is especially sensitive to temperature changes, so put it on a shelf as close to the bottom as it will fit.
If you have 2 crisper drawers, in one drawer store leafy vegetables, broccoli, celery, or any vegetable with lots of surface area as they tend to lose moisture quickly. In the other crisper drawer store fruit. If you are storing apples, keep them separated from other fruits as they give off a natural gas called ethylene that can wilt, spot, or rot other food.
Store condiments such as catsup, pickles, soy sauce, jams, etc in the door. Pasteurized orange juice and recorked wine can also be stored in the door as they will stay fresh for three to five days.
