Correct storage
For physical reasons, the refrigerator compartment has different tempera- ture zones. The coldest zone is on the lowest storage shelf immediately above the fruit and vegetable drawers. Warmer zones are the upper storage shelves and door racks. The arrange- ment (see fig.) indicates where dif- ferent types of food are best stored to make the most of temperature variations.
For instance, the shelf immediately above the fruit and vegetable trays should be 5 °C for safe storage of meat and fish products. In order to check that the appliance is at 5 °C on the lowest shelf you can carry out the following test yourself:
0Place a cup of water in the centre of the said shelf with a thermometer inside.
0Leave the fridge door closed overnight and check the temperature first thing in the morning.
0At this point the temperature should read no more than 5 °C; if it does, you need to adjust the temperature regulator to a colder setting.
For further information on keeping food cool and safe a guide published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is available and can be obtained free of charge by contacting:
Foodsense, London SE99 7TT. Tel: 0645 556000
Tip: Food stored in the refrigerator compartment should always be cov- ered or packed so that they do not dry out, lose their flavour, or trans- fer their flavour to any other refrigerated food. The following are suitable for packing:
–polyethylene bags;
–plastic containers with lids;
–special plastic covers with rubber retainers;
–aluminium foil.
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