Food storage guide, Storing Fresh Food

Food storage guide

STORING FRESH FOOD

Fresh	Meat,	Not Prepackaged.	Remove	the
market	wrapping	paper and re-wrap	loosely	in

waxed paper or aluminum foil for storing it unfrozen. Cooked Meat. Wrap or cover cooked meat with waxed paper, plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store

immediately.

Cured or Smoked Meat and Cold Cuts. Ham, bacon, sausage, cold cuts, etc., keep best in origi- nal wrappings. Once opened, tightly re-wrap In plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Canned Ham. Store in refrigerator unless the la- bel says It’s okay to store on the shelf. Do not freeze.

Fresh Poultry. Loosen the market wrapping and store in the supermarket tray, or loosely wrap in waxed paper or plastic wrap.

There ISa right way to package and store refrlg- erated or frozen foods To keep foods fresher, longer,

take the time to study these recommended steps

Leafy Vegetables Remove the store wrap- ping and trim or tear off bruised and discolored areas. Wash tn cool water and drain Leave some water on the leaves as they go into the crisper Cold, moist air helps keep leafy vegetables fresh and crisp Your refrigerator has sealing gaskets to help keep that humid ar in the crisper

Vegetables with Skins (tomatoes, peppers) Wash, dry and store in a crisper

Fruits Wash, dry and store In a crisper Do not wash or hull berries until they are ready to use Sort and keep berries in their store contalner’ln a crisper, or store in CI loosely closed paper bag on a refrlg- erator shelf

Meat* .Meat ISperishable and expensive you won’t want to waste an ounce of It through careless handling The following list and chart give you packaging hints and time limits Store meat In the meat pan.

Fresh, Prepackaged Meat. Store fresh meat In the store wrapping You can freeze tt in the wrap and store it for one or two weeks If you want to keep It frozen longer, you should wrap It with special freezer wrapping material

STORAGECHARTFORFRESHAND CUREDMEAT’

Me		Approximate	Time
		(days)
Variety	Meats		1 to	2
Chicken			1 to	2
Ground	Beef		1 to	2
Steaks	and	Roasts	3 to	5
Cured	Meats		7 to	10
Bacon			5to	7
Cold Cuts		_,_.........._	3 to	5

‘If meat ISto be stored longer than the times given. follow the dIrectIons for freezing

NOTE: Fresh fish and shellflsh should be used the same day as purchased.

Eggs .Store without washing In the orIgInal car- ton or use the Utility Bin that come with your refrigerator

Milk...Wlpe milk cartons Store milk on a shelf in- side the refrigerator Do not store on a door shelf

Beverages ..Wipe bottles and cans Store on a door shelf or inside the refrigerator.

Butter		.Store	what		you	might	use	In a	day on
the	serving	dish in the Butter Compartment								Whien
you	have	extra,	wrap		in	freezer	packaging			and
freeze.
Cheese		.Store		in	the	original	wrapping			until
you	are ready		to	use	It	Once opened,			re-wrap
tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil
Condiments				Store small jars			and	bottles		(cat-


sup,	mustard,	jelly, olives)			on the door		shelves	where
they	are In easy		reach
leftovers		.Always			cover leftovers		with	plastic
wrap or aluminum			foil	to keep food		from drying out
Plastic containers			with	tight lids are		fine. too.

8‘Courtesy of Natlonal Live Stock and Meat Board