Food Storage Guide

Wrap or store food in the refrigerator in airtight and moisture-proof material unless otherwise noted. This prevents food odor and taste transfer throughout the

refrigerator. For dated products, check date code to ensure freshness.

items	How to
Butter or	Keep	opened		butter	in a covered
margarine	dish	or closed		compartment.
	When storing an extra supply,
	wrap in freezer packaging and
	freeze.
Cheese	Store in the original wrapping
	until you are ready to use it. Once
	opened, rewrap tightly in plastic
	wrap	or aluminum foil.
Milk	I_ Wipe	milk	cartons.		For best
	storage, place milk on interior
	shelf, not on door shelf.
Eggs	ll_ Store	in original carton				on interior
	shelf, not on door shelf.
Fruit	_ Do not wash or hull				the	fruit
	until it is ready to be used. Sort
	and keep fruit in its original
	container, in a crisper, or store in a
	completely closed paper bag on a
	refrigerator		shelf.

STORING FROZEN FOOD

NOTE: Check a freezer guide or a reliable cookbook for further information about preparing food for freezing or food storage times.

Freezing

Your freezer will not quick-freeze a large quantity of food. Do not put more unfrozen food into the freezer than will freeze within 24 hours (no more than 2 to 3 lbs. of food per cubic foot of freezer space). Leave enough space in the freezer for air to circulate around packages. Be careful to leave enough room at the front so the door can close tightly.

Storage times will vary according to the quality and type of food, the type of packaging or wrap used (how airtight and moisture-proof) and the storage temperature. Ice crystals inside a sealed package are normal. This simply means that moisture in the food

and air inside the package have condensed, creating ice crystals.

NOTE: Allow hot foods to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then package and freeze. Cooling hot foods before freezing saves energy.

Packaging

Successful freezing depends on correct packaging. When you close and seat the package, it must not allow air or moisture in or out. If it does, you could have food odor and taste transfer throughout the refrigerator and could also dry out frozen food.

Packaging recommendations:

Leafy

vegeta bies

Vegetables

with skins

(carrats,

peppers)

Fish

Leftovers

Remove store wrapping and trim or tear off bruised and discolored

areas. Wash in cold water and drain. Place in plastic bag or plastic container and store in crisper.

Place in plastic bags or plastic container and store in crisper.

Store fresh fish and shellfish in the freezer section if they are not being consumed the same day of

purchase. It is recommended to consume fresh fish and shellfish the

same day purchased.

I_ Cover leftovers with plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or plastic containers with tight lids.

•Rigid plastic containers with tight-fitting lids

•Straight-sided canning/freezing jars

•Heavy-duty aluminum foil

•Plastic-coated paper

•Non-permeable plastic wraps

•Specified freezer-grade self-sealingplastic bags

Follow package or container instructions for proper freezing methods.

Do nat use

•Bread wrappers

•Non-polyethylene plastic containers

•Containers without tight lids

•Wax paper or wax-coated freezer wrap

•Thin, semi-permeable wrap

CAUTION: Do not keep beverage cans or plastic food containers in the freezer compartment. They may break or burst if they freeze.