Refrigerator food storage period

Refrigerators are essential tools for most families, because modern life produces a large amount of food for people to enjoy. However, most of the food cannot be consumed in a short period of time. Therefore, refrigerators come in handy and allow them to greatly increase the shelf life of food. How long is the storage period of food in the refrigerator? Let’s take a look at the explanation below.

In the refrigerator, each type of food has a shelf life at different temperatures, and it is not guaranteed not to go bad just by putting it in the refrigerator. Generally speaking, the refrigeration time for raw meat is 1 to 2 days, and for fruits and vegetables it is 3 to 5 days. Eggs will keep in the refrigerator for up to 15 days. It is best not to eat green leafy vegetables after being refrigerated for 5 days, even if they have not changed color. It is best not to store fish in the freezer for more than two months. If the meat turns yellow after freezing, the fat has been oxidized and it is best to discard it.

The temperature of the freezer is generally around -18°C. At this temperature, most bacteria can be inhibited or killed, which has a better preservation effect on the food stored in it. However, freezing does not mean complete sterilization, and some bacteria with strong antifreeze ability still survive.

If the refrigerator is not defrosted in time, or if too much food is stored or it is too crowded, or if the refrigerator door is opened and closed frequently, the temperature inside the refrigerator will rise, affecting the refrigerator's storage effect on food; if raw and cooked food are mixed, it will cause cross-contamination of microorganisms between foods; in addition, many families do not carefully clean and disinfect refrigerators, which provides conditions for bacterial reproduction and will still cause food to spoil. Therefore, the refrigerator is neither a "disinfection cabinet" nor a "safe". No food should be stored in the refrigerator for too long. It is best to eat it immediately after purchase.

Fresh eggs: refrigerate for 30 to 60 days; cooked eggs: refrigerate for 6 to 7 days; milk: refrigerate for 5 to 6 days; yogurt: refrigerate for 7 to 10 days; fish: refrigerate for 1 to 2 days, frozen for 90 to 180 days; beef: refrigerate for 1 to 2 days, frozen for 90 days; steak: refrigerate for 2 to 3 days, frozen for 270 days; sausage: refrigerate for 9 days, frozen for 60 days; chicken: refrigerate for 2 to 3 days, frozen for 360 days; canned food: refrigerate for 360 days if unopened; peanut butter, sesame paste: refrigerate for 90 days if opened; coffee: refrigerate for 14 days if opened; apples: refrigerate for 7 to 12 days; citrus: refrigerate for 7 days; pears: refrigerate for 1 to 2 days; ripe tomatoes: refrigerate for 12 days; spinach: refrigerate for 3 to 5 days.