The safety of the food we eat is of primary importance. Essential to life, food must be nutritious and good quality. Spoiled groceries can lead to food poisoning, which if very serious, can cause death. Throwing decaying food away is also wasteful, so learning some cold storage methods can save you money.
Handling food correctly
Washing hands is important – always do this before handling food, and after working with fish or meat, make sure you wash your hands again. Raw meat or fish could taint other items, so store them separately, in their own compartment if possible, and if not, then as low as possible in the fridge, so that juices cannot drip onto anything else. In commercial refrigeration, it is also important to maintain strict hygiene standards.
There are optimal temperatures for your fridge and freezer too. The freezer should set to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or 4 degrees Celsius and below. The freezer should be set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or -18 degrees Celsius or less.
Efficient freezing
Food placed in the freezer should be stored in containers that are airtight, to prevent freezer burn and general deterioration. Vacuum kits are available for effective removal of air from packages to be frozen. Meat must be wrapped in high quality paper for freezing, and the paper should form several layers, with all the air squeezed out as you go. Food should be cool before you attempt to freeze it. Warm items inside a bag or container will cause condensation and then form ice.
Freeze your food in portions that you want to use, and label them accurately, so when you dig them out, you know what they are and how old they are. For more tips about freezing, see this article from The Guardian.
If looking for options for commercial refrigeration, it would be a good idea to consult experts such as https://www.fridgefreezerdirect.co.uk/commercial-refrigeration, who can provide advice and solutions.
Be aware that some food items, such as sauces that are milk based, do not freeze well. Some foods can also be frozen for longer periods of time than others, so it is wise to make sure you thaw out and consume these before they expire and must be thrown away.