OCU issues guide on proper food refrigeration and storage

The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has released a guide regarding the correct preservation of food in refrigerators. The organization warns that certain products should not be stored in the cold because they may lose their properties, flavor, or texture.

Items to avoid refrigerating include bread, honey, oil, coffee, spices, chocolate, potatoes, garlic, onions, and tomatoes. The OCU notes that simply placing groceries in the fridge does not guarantee optimal preservation, as temperatures vary significantly between different zones of the appliance.

In conventional refrigerators, the lower shelves record the lowest temperatures, while the upper shelves and the door experience greater thermal fluctuations. For optimal preservation of meat and fish, the OCU recommends using 0 °C drawers if available. Additionally, the guide emphasizes the importance of using airtight containers for leftovers and opened packages to prevent drying out or absorbing unwanted odors.