"Most people trust their refrigerator to keep their food safe and ready to use. Yet there is one refrigeration safety tip you may be overlooking that could be affecting the shelf life of your food, increasing the risk of bacteria growth, and worsening your potential of picking up a food-borne illness: leaving the door open too long, or opening and closing it too often."
"Your fridge may be harboring more bacteria than you realize due to frequent or prolonged internal temperature fluctuations. When you open and close the door too frequently or leave it open for too long, the internal temperature gradually rises to the point that the fridge's cooling mechanism has to work overtime to bring the appliance to the recommended temperature. Depending upon how long this takes, there's potential for bacteria to grow and multiply."
Frequent or prolonged opening of refrigerator doors raises internal temperature, causing the cooling system to work harder and allowing bacteria to grow. Bacterial growth occurs most readily between 40°F and 140°F, and refrigerators should be kept at about 37°F (37–40°F is safe). High moisture, available nutrients, and neutral pH accelerate bacterial multiplication, potentially as fast as every 20 minutes. Limiting door-open time and avoiding careless closing reduces temperature fluctuations and bacterial risk. Use a reliable refrigerator thermometer if the appliance lacks a digital temperature display or has a broken thermometer to ensure safe, consistent temperatures.
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