Food safety experts advise against storing perishables in refrigerator doors

Food safety experts recommend avoiding the storage of highly perishable items in refrigerator doors due to frequent temperature fluctuations caused by opening the appliance.

The USDA-FSIS advises against placing perishable foods in door compartments, as they are most exposed to warm air. Specifically, eggs should be kept in their original packaging on an interior shelf rather than in the door to maintain a stable temperature and prevent odor absorption. This guidance is supported by the FDA and ANMAT.

While the door is suitable for stable items such as mustard, ketchup, pickles, olives, and certain beverages, more sensitive products like milk, meat, poultry, and fish benefit from the more consistent temperatures found on the main interior shelves.