Keep it cool!

We all know that the fridge and freezer is your best friend when it comes to keeping things fresher for longer. There is however a good and bad way to use your trusty kitchen best friend:

• Keep the fridge at a cool (1 - 5C) and chilled food will stay fresh for longer.

• Keep tabs on use-by dates - the freezer may be the option for food you won't get round to eating in time.

• Fill your fridge and freezer - a full fridge (and freezer) stays colder for longer so use bottles of tap water to fill any gaps. Don't overload it though, as this may prevent airflow.

• Store raw meat in clean sealed containers on the bottom shelf of the fridge, so it can't touch or drip onto other food.

• After cooking meat, cool it down as quickly as possible and then put it in the fridge or freezer. Remember to keep cooked meat and raw meat separate.

• Make use of special fruit and vegetable storage compartments where humidity and temperature can be controlled making fruit and vegetables last longer.

• Wrap smelly foods such as onions to avoid smells from tainting other foods.

• Wrap meat and poultry separately to avoid juices spilling onto other food.

• Keep your fridge clean to avoid cross-contamination from spilled or spoiled foods.

• To keep bags of salad fresh, open the bag before you pop it in the fridge.

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