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freshness. It will also prevent odour transfer. Vegetables and fruit need not be
wrapped if they are stored in the vegetable container of the fridge compartment.
Make sure that strong smelling foods are wrapped or covered and stored away
from foods such as butter, milk and cream which can be tainted by strong odours.
Cool hot foods down before placing them in the fridge compartment.
Dairy foods and eggs
Most pre-
packed dairy foods have a recommended „use by /best before/best by/
date stamped on them. Store them in the fridge compartment and use within the
recommended time.
Butter can become tainted by strong smelling foods so it is best stored in a sealed
container.
Eggs should be stored in the fridge compartment.
Red meat
Place fresh red meat on a plate and loosely cover with waxed paper, plastic wrap or
foil.
Store cooked and raw meat on separate plates. This will prevent any juice lost from
the raw meat from contaminating the cooked product.
Poultry
Fresh whole birds should be rinsed inside and out with cold running water, dried
and placed on a plate. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or foil.
Poultry pieces should also be stored this way. Whole poultry should never be
stuffed until just before cooking, otherwise food poisoning may result.
Fish and seafood
Whole fish and fillets should be used on the day of purchase. Until required,
refrigerate on a plate loosely covered with plastic wrap, waxed paper or foil.
If storing overnight or longer, take particular care to select very fresh fish. Whole
fish should be rinsed in cold water to remove loose scales and dirt and then patted
dry with paper towels. Place whole fish or fillets in a sealed plastic bag.
Keep shellfish chilled at all times. Use within 1
–
2 days.
Precooked foods and leftovers
These should be stored in suitable covered containers so that the food will not dry
out.
Keep for only 1-2 days.
Reheat leftovers only once and until steaming hot.
Vegetable container
The vegetable container is the optimum storage location for fresh fruit and
vegetables.