How to store food in the fridge

Unlike what happens in developing countries, where food losses in the consumption phase are essentially nil, in In countries like ours, the greatest losses occur in the consumption phase.

In Italy, approximately 50% of the waste generated in the entire agri-food chain occurs within the home. One of the reasons for so much waste is due to poorly stored food.Many do not know how to divide food in the refrigerator and this leads to faster degradation. In fact, each product should be placed in the right compartment of the refrigerator at a precise temperature to preserve its characteristics and prevent it from going bad too soon.

Although there are various models of refrigerators where it is possible to adjust the temperature according to your needs, it is important to know that the average temperature optimal is around 4 – 5° C in the central part. Generally in the lowest shelf, the temperature drops around 2°C. In the highest part, as well as in the lower drawers, the temperature ranges from 8° to 10°C. The compartments inside the door are the least cold and the temperature is between 10° and 15°C.

Arrangement of food in the refrigerator:

• meat and fish in the area with the temperature around 2 °C, therefore the lower part.
• cured meats, cheeses, eggs, cooked foods and products opened in the central part or in the highest part with a temperature between 4 °C and 10 °C.
• fruit and vegetables in the bottom drawers where the temperature varies from 8° to 10° degrees.
• drinks, products in tubes, butter on the shelves of the refrigerator door.

It is very important to keep separate the various foods (e.g. fruit and vegetables away from meat and fish), do not pile them up and also do not put them away when they are still very hot. By operating correctly, "cross-contamination" between the various foods is avoided and the temperature does not undergo unwanted increases.

Must not keep the door open for a long time to avoid an unwanted rise in temperature which can cause frost formation. However, it is important to keep the refrigerator clean; it is convenient to empty it completely e wash it with hot water and vinegar and dry it before putting it back into operation.

Some foods (bread, bananas, tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers and courgettes, etc.) do not need to be refrigerated.

Frozen foods, if not consumed immediately, must be placed in the freezer where the temperature drops below -10°C.

Cooked food can be stored in the freezer which we intend to consume even after a few weeks. However, it is important to remember that once the food has been defrosted, it must be consumed and not placed back in the freezer.

With the cooling we obtain a strong slowdown of the physiological reactions and also a partial block of the development of the microorganisms with the consequent lengthening of the period of "life" of our foods.

Proper use of refrigerators allows us to preserve food and be able to consume it in complete safety in a relatively long time.

In conclusion following with a few simple precautions, food can be stored easily by eating in safety and avoiding waste.

Source: https://www.consumatori.it