What is the appropriate storage order in a refrigerator?

The appropriate storage order in a refrigerator is crucial for preventing cross-contamination and ensuring food safety. The correct storage order of ready-to-eat foods, seafood, whole cuts of beef and pork, ground meats, and whole poultry aligns with the principles of keeping foods at different risk levels separated from one another.

Ready-to-eat foods are placed at the top of the refrigerator because they have the lowest risk of harboring pathogens; they are ready for consumption without further cooking. Next, seafood is stored above whole cuts of beef and pork since it is also considered a ready-to-eat product, but it may have a slightly higher likelihood of containing pathogens compared to cooked foods. Whole cuts of beef and pork follow, as they can be cooked to safe temperatures that eliminate pathogens. Ground meats are placed lower due to their increased risk of contamination throughout the meat. Finally, whole poultry, when stored at the bottom, helps to prevent dripping juices from contaminating other foods since poultry has the highest risk of harboring harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses.

This order of storage minimizes the risk of cross-contact and ensures that foods are stored in a manner that maintains their safety and quality.