The fridge is a must – have appliance in our homes. Many people think that putting fruits, vegetables, and other foods in the fridge can extend their shelf life. Because of this, the fridge has become a “safe” for many families, and people just stuff everything into it without a second thought. However, not all things are suitable for being stored in the fridge. Some items, if kept in the fridge for a long time, may even have the opposite effect and pose significant “risks”. Here are 5 things that will spoil more easily and cause potential harm if stored in the fridge for too long, as they are likely to breed a large number of bacteria and dirt. They can not only speed up the spoilage process but may also produce substances harmful to the human body.
1. Repeatedly Thawed Meat
There are surely some frozen meat products in everyone’s fridge. When we buy meat and don’t finish it in time, we usually put it in the freezer to extend its storage time. There’s no big problem with freezing meat. However, if the meat is thawed and refrozen repeatedly, it’s very likely to produce some harmful substances, which can have an adverse impact on our health. During the process of repeated thawing and refreezing, meat will generate a large number of bacteria and some harmful substances. If we consume it in this state, we may experience diarrhea and other problems, easily causing physical discomfort. It is recommended that when you buy meat, portion it in advance, put it into a sealable 保鲜袋 (ziplock bag), and then freeze it. Each time you want to eat, just take out one bag to thaw, and avoid repeated thawing.
2. Leftovers
When cooking, we often end up with leftovers. Many people, not wanting to waste food, put the leftovers in the fridge to eat later. But if leftovers are stored in the fridge for a long time, they can easily produce toxins from pathogenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, etc., which can cause symptoms like diarrhea and nausea. Especially for high – protein foods such as meat and soy products, if they are put back in the fridge after not being eaten, and then not heated thoroughly or stored properly, they will affect our health. It is advisable to control the amount of food when cooking and try not to have leftovers. Also, remind the elderly at home not to eat leftovers for a long time.
3. Leafy Vegetables
To extend the freshness of leafy vegetables like lettuce, bok choy, spinach, endive, and others bought from the market, we usually put them in the fridge’s crisper. Storing leafy vegetables in the crisper can indeed extend their freshness to some extent and prevent dehydration and withering. However, leafy vegetables are not suitable for long – term storage in the fridge. These leafy vegetables naturally contain a certain amount of nitrate. If they are kept in the fridge for a long time, the nitrate may be reduced to nitrite. Consuming too much nitrite is harmful to the body. Since the shelf life of leafy vegetables is not long, it is recommended to buy only one or two days’ worth at a time to avoid waste.
4. Honey
Many people put honey in the fridge, thinking it can extend its shelf life. But this is a wrong practice. If honey is stored in the fridge for a long time, it will turn white and crystallize in the low – temperature environment. This changes the taste and nutrition of the honey, and it may even be more prone to spoilage and bacterial growth. Pure natural honey can be stored at room temperature in a dark place. It is not easy to spoil and does not need to be put in the fridge. Just keep it in a dry, cool, and ventilated place, away from high temperatures.
5. Dairy Products Such as Milk
Most people put dairy products like yogurt, milk, and cheese in the fridge’s crisper after purchase. However, it is not recommended to store dairy products in the fridge for a long time. Dairy products such as milk are rich in protein and fat. If stored in the fridge for a long time, they are also prone to spoilage. Spoiled dairy products not only have a reduced nutritional value but may also be harmful to the body. Since yogurt and fresh milk have a relatively short shelf life, it is advisable not to buy too much at once to avoid waste due to improper storage.
In conclusion, not all foods are suitable for long – term storage in the fridge. If these foods are stored in the fridge for too long, they may produce harmful substances, which is not beneficial to our health. Please pay attention to this.