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    What Foods Should be Refrigerated?

    What foods should you be refrigerating?

    Can’t decide whether to pop your apples in the fridge drawer or the fruit bowl? No worries. This guide looks at which foods you should put into your fridge so every meal is tasty and safe to eat.

    Why refrigeration matters

    Giving your food a comfy place to stay nice and chilled isn’t just for keeping everything crisp, it also slows the growth of bacteria and other nasties that cause spoilage and foodborne illnesses. Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria can multiply rapidly in warm temperatures, so popping foods like fruit, dairy goods, and raw meat in a below 5°C environment slows their growth while maintaining nutritional value.

    With proper refrigeration you can keep your food fresh and safe while also cutting down on food waste – that means fewer trips to the shops and more pennies in your pocket.

    Top foods that should always be refrigerated

    Some items in your basket during the big shop are sensitive to temperature and should be popped in the fridge as quickly as possible. We’ve put together a few examples, so you can make each supermarket sweep last longer.

    Dairy Products and Eggs

    Milk, cheese, yoghurt, and eggs are highly perishable and should be kept in the fridge to stay fresh. The cool temperature slows down bacterial growth, extending their shelf life.

    Fresh Meats and Seafood

    Raw meat, poultry, and seafood are prone to spoilage due to their high protein content. Keeping these items in the fridge prevents harmful bacteria growth, making them safe to eat. Just check they’re in sealed containers or wrapped up tightly to prevent cross-contamination.

    Certain Fruits and Vegetables

    Not all fruits and vegetables require refrigeration, but some do to maintain their crispness and prolong shelf life. If you love stocking up on berries, leafy greens, and broccoli, keep them separate from ethylene-producing fruits like apples and bananas, as these can accelerate ripening.

    If you’re unsure how to store specific fruits and veggies, check the packaging for their best conditions. Plus, if your fridge has features like salad crisper drawers, you can use them to keep the crunch in your lettuce and cucumbers.

    Foods you might not know need refrigeration

    Most people associate their fridge with perishable items like dairy, meat, and fruit. However, some foods living in your cupboards also require a cool environment to keep them fresh and tasty. Here are a few unexpected items that should be kept in the fridge.

    Baked goods with perishable fillings

    Baked goods like pies and pastries with fillings such as custard or cream should be refrigerated. The cold temperature maintains the integrity of the insides, ensuring they stay safe to consume – and most importantly, tasty.

    Nuts and seeds

    While nuts and seeds can last for a long time at room temperature, refrigerating them can help extend their shelf life. The cool temperature prevents the natural oils in them from going bad, keeping them fresher for longer.

    Certain condiments

    Condiments like ketchup and mustard are fine at room temperature, but some need refrigeration after opening. This includes mayonnaise, salad dressings, and certain sauces. If you’re unsure where a new sauce should go once it’s been cracked open, check the label for storage instructions.

    Proper storage techniques in the fridge

    From maintaining ideal temperatures to extending shelf life, proper storage techniques can help you get the most out of your fridge and the weekly shop.

    Find the right temperature

    The recommended temperature for a refrigerator is between 0°C and 5°C. This range slows down bacterial growth and prevents food from going off too quickly. Regularly check and adjust the fridge's temperature so it stays within this range.

    Organise your space

    The best way to organise your fridge is to keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood on the lower shelves in sealed containers to prevent cross-contamination. Any dairy or ready-to-eat foods should be placed on the upper shelves away from the raw foods.

    Some simple tips:

    To help you extend the shelf life of your food, we’ve put together a few tips: 

    • Keep fruits and vegetables in the crisper drawers – These areas have a higher humidity level, perfect for keeping those apples and pears nice and crunchy.
    • Avoid overcrowding your fridge – this can restrict proper air circulation and lead to uneven cooling. 

    Common mistakes to avoid

    When refrigerating food, there are common mistakes that many people make. Avoiding these mistakes can help your food stay fresh and safe for longer periods. Here are some things to watch out for:

    Storing hot food directly in the fridge

    Just meal-prepped a batch of food for tomorrow’s lunch? Don’t put it in the fridge while it’s still hot, wait for it to cool first. If it’s still warm, it can raise the internal temperature causing other items to spoil quicker.

    Not sealing containers properly

    Failing to seal containers properly can lead to cross-contamination and the spread of bacteria. Make sure those lids are tightly sealed before placing them in the fridge. This will help keep your food fresh and prevent odours from spreading to other items.

    By avoiding these common mistakes, you can maximise the shelf life of the food in your fridge and maintain its quality. Just make sure you follow the proper food storage guidelines to make sure every meal is as tasty as the last, with no nasty surprises.