Nowadays, ensuring proper food storage is of utmost importance to maintain our health and well-being. With the global pandemic affecting our daily lives, we need to take extra precautions when it comes to food safety. To help you out, we’ve created a guide on the fundamentals of food storage that you should follow to make sure that your food stays fresh and free from contamination.
Fridge Storage
The fridge is a great place to keep your food fresh for a longer time. It also helps to slow down the growth of harmful bacteria. Nevertheless, you have to ensure that you’re storing your food the right way.
Firstly, it’s important to check the temperature in your fridge regularly. The ideal temperature range is from 32°F to 40°F or 0°C to 4°C. To ensure that your fridge is at the appropriate temperature, use a thermometer to check the temperature every so often.
When storing food, make sure that the meat and poultry are wrapped in air-tight containers and stored on the bottom shelf to prevent the juices drips that can contaminate other food items. You can also store them in a sealed bag or container, which will help prevent the spread of bacteria.
When it comes to fruits and vegetables, always store them in the crisper drawer or in an air-tight container. You can also wrap them in a damp paper towel to keep them fresh. If you want to save space the like of herbs, you can place them in a glass of water, and cover them with a plastic wrap.
Pantry Storages
The pantry is where we usually store all our canned goods, boxed goods, and dry items such as rice, pasta, and cereal. It’s essential to keep it organized, clean, and dry to prevent pests and to protect the freshness of the contents.
When you buy boxed or bagged goods, make sure to check the “best before” date to ensure that it doesn’t go bad or start to lose its flavor. You should also keep your pantry well-ventilated and dry. Moisture can cause mold to grow on your dry goods, which will result in spoilage and waste.
If you are storing canned goods, check the expiration date before purchasing, and keep in mind that they can last for years, also placing the newer ones in the back section of your pantry helps to avoid receiving expired products. Keep the canned goods organized by putting them in order of their highest expiration date, so you will easily see what expires first.
Freezer Storage
The freezer is a great place to store items that you don’t need immediately. It’s perfect for storing meats, poultry, and fish that you bought in bulk or items that you prepared in advance. To keep items fresh, you have to follow specific guidelines when it comes to freezing food.
In the freezer: - Wrap meat, fish or poultry tightly in freezer paper to avoid freezer burn.
- For soups and stews, cool first and then pour into air-tight containers before freezing.
- Freeze milk, cheese, and bread for later use. Freezing the bread and cheese preserves the flavor and texture.
- Lastly, make sure that your freezer temperature is at zero degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Conclusion
Proper food storage is essential to maintain food freshness while preventing the spread of bacteria and germs. By following the correct guidelines, you’ll be able to save money, reduce food waste and more importantly, protect your family’s health. Remember, always check expiration dates and labels, store food in the correct places, and maintain the ideal temperatures in your fridge, pantry, and freezer. It’s never too late to start practicing safe food storage methods.
