The Safety Reason For Why It's Important To Keep A Clean And Organized Fridge - Tasting Table

"It starts with a big grocery shopping trip, after which we end up stuffing every spare inch of the fridge's shelves. Then leftovers from dinners throughout the week join the party. Ditto that for the excess takeout from Friday night. Before you know it, it's time for another stock-up at the supermarket for some items, while others are still hanging out in the fridge."

"Crumbs and spills inevitably accumulate between items, and in those hidden spaces, bacteria flourish. Fridges are typically somewhat moist environments, which bacteria just love. Let the contents of your refrigerator go unchecked for a couple of weeks, and the bacteria between spoiling food and spills can multiply, mingle, and infect various items without you realizing. Plus, dust builds up without regular cleaning, too, which can negatively impact the air quality in your kitchen;"

A cluttered refrigerator results from large grocery trips, leftovers and excess takeout that fill shelves and leave items forgotten. Forgotten foods can make it hard to see and locate items, causing stress during meal preparation and leading to buying duplicates or wasting food that expires. Spoiling items and accumulated crumbs and spills create moist, hidden spaces where bacteria flourish, enabling cross-contamination across foods. Dust accumulation can reduce kitchen air quality. An overfilled fridge must work harder, lowering efficiency and increasing energy costs. Performing a single thorough clean-out and establishing an ongoing organization system makes maintenance quick, prevents contamination, and preserves food freshness.

Read at Tasting Table