Refrigerator temperature and holiday mode usage guidelines

Proper refrigerator management is essential for food safety and energy efficiency, particularly when using specialized settings or adjusting for seasonal changes.

When using a refrigerator ‘holiday mode’, users should be aware that this function is designed to reduce energy consumption in nearly empty appliances rather than to preserve food. In some models, temperatures can rise to approximately 15 °C, which is unsuitable for perishable items like meat, fish, dairy, and cooked leftovers. For safe preservation, the refrigerator compartment should ideally be maintained between 0 and 4 °C to slow bacterial growth.

Regarding seasonal adjustments, the internal temperature should not be changed blindly based on the weather. EFSA recommends keeping perishable foods below 5 °C. While some manual models may require slight adjustments during extreme heat to help the appliance dissipate heat, modern electronic sensors often regulate temperature automatically. Setting a mechanical thermostat to its maximum setting during summer can lead to unnecessary energy consumption without providing better preservation if the target temperature is already met.