15-Minute Meal Recipes & Nutrition Guide.pdf

Foods that need to be kept in the fridge to slow down germs' growth and keep food fresh and safe for longer include milk, meat, and ready meals. These foods are marked with a "use by" date and "keep refrigerated" on the label. To store food in the fridge, cool down leftovers as quickly as possible, store them in the fridge, and eat them within two days. Avoid putting open tin cans in the fridge, as the food inside may develop a metallic taste. Instead, follow the manufacturer's instructions or place the contents in a storage container or covered bowl before refrigerating. Store food in airtight storage containers and sandwich bags, and write the date of storage on the container/bag so the food can be disposed of within two days of opening or cooking. If containers or sandwich bags are not available, use clingfilm or tin foil.

To maintain a clean and hygienic fridge, keep the temperature at 5C or below, and clean and inspect the fridge regularly. Check the fridge temperature against an internal thermometer to ensure it's accurate. Most pre-packed foods carry either a "use by" or a "best before" date. "Use by" dates appear on foods that go off quickly, and it can be dangerous to eat foods past this date. "Best before" dates are for foods with a longer life, and they show how long the food will be at its best. Food can look and smell fine even after its "use by" date but that doesn't mean it's safe to eat. Eating food past its "best before" date is not dangerous, but the food may not be good quality.

Eggs have a shelf life of 28 days from the date laid to the best before date. By law, eggs must reach the final consumer within 21 days from the date they have been laid. This date is known as the sell-by date. After this date, the quality of the egg will deteriorate, and if any salmonella bacteria are present, they could multiply to high levels and could make a person ill. This means eggs need to be delivered to the consumer at least 7 days before the best before date, and the consumer then has 7 days to use the eggs at home.