Tag Archives: food storage tips

How To Keep Your Food & Dairy Fresh For Longer

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Fresh Food In Garbage Can To Illustrate Waste

Did you know that 40% of all food in America goes uneaten? Whether it’s tossed out or left to rot, we are wasting billions of dollars worth of food every year. Some sources estimate that as much as 20 pounds of food per person is wasted every month!

One of the biggest reasons for this waste is the improper storage. Use these tips after your next trip to the grocery store to keep your food fresh for longer and reduce your waste:

  • Save the bottom shelf for foods susceptible to spoiling. The bottom shelf is generally the coldest spot in your refrigerator. Reserve this area for items that expire quickly, such as raw meats and dairy products.

  • Reserve the door for condiments and bottled water. Every time you open your refrigerator door, the ambient air of the kitchen warms up the items stored on it. These temperatures often reach 40° or higher, so save this space for items resistant to spoiling, such as condiments and bottled water.

  • Get your food to the fridge as soon as possible. The longer refrigerated food sits at room temperature, the quicker it goes bad. Do everything you can to get your food back into the refrigerator as soon as possible after buying it from the store. This includes doing things like putting refrigerated items in your cart last, and going straight home from the market.

  • Keep your fruits and vegetables separated. Most refrigerators come with two independent crisper drawers – one for your fruits, and one for your vegetables. It is wise to keep them separated. This is because most fruits produce ethylene as they ripen, a gas which causes most vegetables to spoil.

  • Make sure your refrigerator is at the right temperature. In order to keep your food fresh for as long as possible, it is important that your refrigerator is set to the right temperature. The optimal temperature range is between 34-38° F, anything higher than that promotes bacteria growth.

Are you noticing that all the food in your refrigerator is going bad before its expiration date? It could be due to a temperature malfunction. If you live on Long Island or in New York City, call the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service. We can repair any make or model of refrigerator, and guarantee one-hour service. Call us anytime at 866-782-9376.

Food Safety Eggs | Speedy Refrigerator Service

Food Safety Tips

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The
kitchen can be a dangerous place, and not for the reasons you are
thinking. While you can be burned by hot stove tops or cut by sharp
knives, the real danger lies elsewhere. Improper handling of your
food can lead to food poisoning and other illnesses. Keep yourself
and your stomach safe by following these tips.
  • Store your raw meat
    on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator.     Not
    only will this help keep it fresh for longer since it is the coldest
    area of the refrigerator, but it will prevent raw juices from
    dripping and contaminating foods beneath it.
  • Refrigerated food
    should never be kept out more than 2 hours.     When
    buying groceries, make sure to get them in the refrigerator in under
    two hours (one hour if the temperature of the air is 90° or higher)
    – after that they will no longer be good. 
     
  • Use a separate
    cutting board for your meat.     Avoid
    contaminating your fruits and vegetables by keeping a separate
    cutting board just for your raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
  • Always wash your
    hands before and after dealing with food.     Your
    health is in your hands, make it a habit to wash them with soap and
    warm water for at least 20 seconds before and
    after
    you deal with food.
  • Replace or sanitize
    your sponge every two weeks.     Sponges
    provide the dark, moist climate that bacteria love. Replace yours
    every two weeks or sanitize it by throwing it in the microwave for
    two minutes to keep it clean and germ-free.
  • Always cook food
    thoroughly.     Avoid food
    poisoning and other illnesses by making sure to thoroughly cook all
    of your foods. Pork and poultry should be white on the inside and
    juices from red meat should run clear, not pink.
  • Keep your
    refrigerator at 39°F or below.
    40° and up is referred to as “The Danger Zone” because bacteria
    growth rates begin to triple. For optimal fresh food storage, keep
    your refrigerator between 34-38°.
If you
notice that your fresh food constantly spoils before its expiration
date, you may have a problem with your refrigerator. New York
residents can count on 24/7 Refrigerator Repair for fast service at
an affordable price. Our experts can fix any make or model of
refrigerator or freezer, and we are on call 24/7/365. Contact us at
any time to schedule a same-day appointment by calling 866-782-9376.