Weekly sorting of food helps avoid some health problems, such as stomach pain or food poisoning, as well as creating more space in the refrigerator.
In a report published by the American ” Reader’s Digest ” magazine , author Hilary Quinn says that it is not easy to know precisely which foods to discard, because it is not just a matter of smelling bad odors, the appearance of mold or expiration. Read also Putting watercress in the refrigerator for a week improves its resistance to cancer Which is better … Putting eggs outside or inside the fridge?Health risks and a loss of their benefits … Foods that you should not put in the fridge Honey does not expire .. why?
Don Schaffner, professor of food microbiology at Rutgers University, explains that there is a big difference between the microorganisms that cause mold, bad smell and bad taste, and pathogens that we may not be able to see.
“Expiration dates are not an exact science,” Schaffner says. “Food companies use this method to satisfy customers, but that does not mean that foods will suddenly go rancid in the middle of the night by the end of the specified date.”
To avoid any health problems, here are some foods that you should not put in your fridge for a long time, even if they do not show any signs that they are no longer edible:
Cooked chicken or meat that is more than 3 days old
“Most harmful bacteria do not grow in refrigerator temperatures, but there are some organisms that are able to grow in this airtight environment,” says Mary Yavilac, of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at
Eggs in the refrigerator door
In many refrigerators, there is a shelf for eggs in the door, but the Marketing Director at Space Station Storage Company, Valtka Lake, says that it is better to place eggs on one of the refrigerator shelves rather than on the door because opening the door frequently exposes the eggs to outside temperatures and spoils at a time. Shorter.
Exposed foods
Don’t forget that the refrigerator is just a “giant food dryer”, and anything exposed directly to air will dry quickly and lose its flavor in no time. Products retain flavor better if placed in a glass or plastic container and sealed properly.
Rotten berries and strawberries
How many times have you checked a box of blueberries or strawberries to remove the rotten ones and eat the rest? This is not a good idea. Sure, you can get rid of one or two rotten berries and wash the rest in clean, cool water, and you will be fine, Schaffner says. But do not try to preserve the berries by getting rid of the rotten parts. It is necessary to “get rid of the rotten strawberries completely, and make sure that there are no Another strawberry rotting around. “
To preserve the flavor of the berries as long as possible, store them in a container that ensures airflow to reduce the risk of spoilage. Another trick to make strawberries last longer is to wash them with a mixture of vinegar and water to get rid of mold and bacteria.
Foods that you have eaten twice
Are you used to opening a tuna salad, eating a few, and then putting the can in the fridge? In fact, it is recommended that you dispose of the box after the second use. “Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are spread in and around our noses, and can be transferred to foods by sneezing or by moving from the nose to the hands and then to the food,” explains Schaffner.
Always keep food safe by taking quantities of it with a clean spoon, then getting rid of residue. To avoid food waste, apply half of the amount the first time, and leave only the other half for a second use.
Perishable food in the refrigerator door
Perishable dairy products, such as sour cream, curd and cheese, are best stored on shelves, as they are less exposed to outside heat from the constant opening and closing of the refrigerator door.
Alternatively, water bottles and cans of soda and spices can be placed in the refrigerator door.
Home salad dressing
In contrast to commercially prepared sauces that can be kept for up to 3 months after opening the box, the validity of home salad dressing and fresh, perishable sauces ranges from one to two weeks at the latest.