How long can food stored in the refrigerator actually last
Many people treat their refrigerator as a household "food disinfection cabinet," believing that food stored inside is hygienic. In fact, because refrigerators store food for long periods without regular cleaning, they can breed many bacteria. Although food in the refrigerator may look fresh on the outside, it has actually spoiled. Cooked meat products should not be stored in the refrigerator for more than 4 days.
The common refrigeration temperature for food storage is 4°C to 8°C. At this temperature, the growth rate of most bacteria slows down. However, some bacteria are psychrophilic, such as *Yersinia* and *Listeria*, which can actually multiply rapidly at this temperature. Consuming food infected with these bacteria can cause intestinal diseases. In the freezer compartment of the refrigerator, the temperature is generally around -18°C. At this temperature, most bacteria are inhibited or killed, so food stored here has a better preservative effect. However, freezing does not completely sterilize; some bacteria with strong freezing resistance can survive. Therefore, from another perspective, if the refrigerator is not disinfected regularly, it can become a "breeding ground" for certain bacteria.
Additionally, do not store too much food in the refrigerator, as this can cause the outer parts of the food to be cold while the inner parts remain warm, leading to spoilage.
As the weather gets warmer day by day, the use of refrigerators increases.
But some housewives treat the refrigerator as a preservation box, storing food for long periods. How to use the refrigerator correctly is also essential household knowledge for housewives. For the health of your family, you must know how long food can be kept in the refrigerator.
Fresh eggs: Refrigerate 30~60 days
Cooked eggs: Refrigerate 6~7 days
Milk: Refrigerate 5~6 days
Yogurt: Refrigerate 7~10 days
Fish: Refrigerate 1~2 days, Freeze 90~180 days
Beef: Refrigerate 1~2 days, Freeze 90 days
Steak: Refrigerate 2~3 days, Freeze 270 days
Sausage: Refrigerate 9 days, Freeze 60 days
Chicken: Refrigerate 2~3 days, Freeze 360 days
Canned food: Unopened, refrigerate 360 days
Peanut butter, Sesame paste: Opened, refrigerate 90 days
Coffee: Opened, refrigerate 14 days
Apples: Refrigerate 7~12 days
Citrus fruits: Refrigerate 7 days
Pears: Refrigerate 1~2 days
Cooked tomatoes: Refrigerate 12 days
Spinach: Refrigerate 3~5 days
Carrots, Celery: Refrigerate 7~14 days
Leftover meals should not be eaten after 3 days, fruits and vegetables for at most a week, and sauces can be kept for two months.
To many people, once food is put in the refrigerator, it's like wearing a "protective suit." In reality, the nutritional value and freshness of the food gradually fade during storage. There are tricks to keeping food fresh.