How to Store Food

Did you ever wonder how to store your left overs and how long you can actually keep them in the fridge until you eat them again? How about Deli meats, juice, cooked fish, etc. Here are some food storage guidelines for the refrigerator and freezer to have on hand.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Thermometer in the refrigerator/freezer to monitor temperature
• Shallow containers (various sizes) for quick cooling.
• Zip lock plastic bags
• Black magic marker

1. Set the refrigerator temperature below 40 Fahrenheit and the freezer below 0 Fahrenheit.
2. Check packages for dates. Remember "use by" and "sell by" dates ensure peak quality, not necessarily safety. These dates do not apply once a package is opened. You can use a black marker and mark the date you are putting the food item into your refrigerator or freezer on the package itself or on the plastic zip lock bags you place the food items in.
3. Refrigerate foods to maintain quality as well as to keep it safe. Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods or leftovers within two (2) hours.
4. Divide Large amounts of prepared foods or leftovers into shallow containers for quick cooling. Try www.harietcarter.com
5. Don't pack your refrigerator full to the point that air can not circulate.

Tips & Warnings

• Food....................Refrigerator...................Freezer
• Fresh Meat..............3-5 days.......................4-6 months
• Ground Meat.............1-2 days.......................3-4 months
• Cooked Meat.............3-4 days.......................2-3 months
• Deli Meats..............3-5 days.......................1-2 months
• Sealed Deli.............Check label....................1-2 months
• Fresh Poultry...........1-2 days.......................9-12 months
• Rotisserie Chicken......3-4 days.......................4 months
• Fresh Fish..............1-2 days.......................2-3 months
• Cooked Fish.............3-4 days.......................3-6 months
• Deli Salads.............3-5 days.......................Do Not Freeze
• Milk....................7 days.........................3 months
• Yogurt..................7-14 days......................1-2 months
• Hard Cheese.............3-4 week.......................6 months
• Soft Cheese.............7 days.........................6 months
• Egg Substitutes unopened..10 days......................Do Not Freeze
• Egg Substitutes opened...3 days........................Do Not Freeze
• Shell Eggs..............3-5 weeks......................Do Not Freeze
• Hard Cooked Egg.........7 days.........................Do Not Freeze
• Juice-opened............7-10 days......................Do Not Freeze
• Juice-unopened..........3 weeks........................8-12 months
• Leftovers...............3-4 days.......................2-3 months
• When in doubt...throw it out! Mold, off flavors and odors are signs that the food is past its prime. However, some foods may contain harmful bacteria yet appear perfectly safe. Check all foods for "use by" dates,mold, and other signs of spoilage.
• Restaurants are not the only places where foodborne illness occurs. Getting ill from good is more common at home. This can be avoided by following these food storage tips.