In the quest for a perfectly organized home, the kitchen fridge often becomes the focal point of our domestic tidying efforts.

After all, it's the guardian of our food's freshness and our family's health. But sometimes, we might overlook some fundamental food safety principles.

This was the case for Ella, a Queensland mum who proudly shared her fridge organization online, only to be met with concern over two potentially dangerous oversights.

‘Show me how you organise your fridge. Extra curious to see those that use the plastic deciders. I want to get into them but am lacking inspiration,’ she posted with a picture of her fridge.

Ella's fridge, neatly packed with fruit, vegetables, eggs, chicken, yoghurt, and other grocery items, seemed to be in order.

Critics questioned an Aussie mum for storing bread and meat in the fridge above fresh produce. Credit: Facebook

She had even sought advice on using plastic dividers to enhance her system.

However, critics quickly pointed out two glaring issues: bread storage in the fridge and meat placement above fresh produce.

‘Shouldn't keep bread in the fridge,’ one said.

Some argue that bread should never be refrigerated as it can lead to faster staling.

Others, particularly those living in humid climates like Queensland, counter that bread can quickly become mouldy if left out.

'I take it you don't live in Queensland; it doesn't last on the bench for us,’ one user commented.

‘Humidity and heat causes bread to mould very quickly,’ another echoed.

‘I'm on the central coast of New South Wales, and in summer, our bread has to live in the fridge. Otherwise, it moulds in two days. In colder months, it lives on the bench. Store-bought bread,’ a third added.

The truth is that bread can be refrigerated to prevent mould, but this may affect its texture and taste. What is the ideal solution?

If you must refrigerate bread due to climate, consume it quickly or consider freezing it for longer-term storage.

There is also the serious issue of meat storage. The chef who chimed in on Ella's post offered some advice:

'Can I recommend to you that you store your meat on the bottom shelf instead of the vegetables? I'm a chef, and it can be dangerous if it leaks into your fresh produce,’

Storing raw meat on a higher shelf poses a significant risk of cross-contamination.

Juices from raw meat can drip down and contaminate the fresh produce below, which is often consumed raw.

Interestingly, this isn't the first time an Aussie mum's fridge organization has sparked debate.

Last year, Jeni Bonell, mother of Australia's largest family, revealed she stores peanut butter in the fridge, prompting discussions about the best storage methods for various pantry items.

‘Fridges don't need to be pretty (although it's fun to look at them and aesthetically pleasing, for sure),’ she said.

‘Remember, they just need to be clean and functional. Their purpose is to store food, not to be Insta-perfect. ‘

‘So just give it a regular wipe over, check your temperature dial, store food correctly and keep the door well-sealed.'

Similarly, hygiene expert Mary Futher advised that putting warm food into the fridge is safe and preferable to prevent bacterial growth.

Leaving food out to cool at room temperature for longer than two hours can make eating unsafe. Read more about it here.

Key Takeaways

• Critics questioned why an Aussie mum stored bread in her refrigerator instead of a cupboard and also pointed out the incorrect storage of meat above fresh produce.
• A chef advised that meat products should be stored on the fridge's bottom shelf to prevent leaks from contaminating fresh produce.
• The debate over bread storage in the fridge was ignited, with some stating that humidity and heat cause bread to go mouldy quickly, especially in places like Queensland.
• The mum, Jeni Bonell, received attention for not only the organisation of her fridge but also for storing peanut butter there, which many believe should be kept in the cupboard.

Have you ever made similar mistakes in your quest for an organized fridge? Or do you have any fridge organization tips that marry safety and aesthetics? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below.

 

[gamiry]

my bread lives in the freezer. I take out 2 slices when I need them and none goes off.

 

[Liz]

My bread is also in the freezer, it goes off after a day or two in a bread bin in Queensland's climate. And don't fridges have a special crisper section for fruit and vegetables, mine does. I don't eat meat but certainly wouldn't put my cat's roast chicken near fruit and veg. It gets cut up and put in containers and cooled on the bench before putting in the fridge/freezer.

 

[June E]

My bread lives in the freezer too. But I’m always reading how we shouldn’t keep milk in the door because it’s the warmest place in the fridge, being opened all the time. However the milk doesn’t fit anywhere else than the door unless you lay it down and have it leak everywhere !
Not only that but I find the milk these days never goes off where in the old days it would sour quite quickly

 

[Olliesmum]

I make my own bread, 3 loaves at the time. 2 loaves into the freezer, one loaf into the fridge. Slice off what you need and pop in the toaster, the rest goes back. In NQ, we keep more food stuffs in the fridge. Meat is always on a tray/plate to avoid leakage.

 

[Bullwinkle]

I commend her on an organised refrigerator…but
“ Obviously knows nothing about microbiology as to where to store items in the refrigerator…meat always on the lowest shelf. No bread in the refrigerator, this practice stales bread far more quickly than leaving on the bench. Fruit and vegetables in the crispers to promote longevity of these products”

 

[Catherines]

She should not be putting plastic wrapped meat on any shelf in her fridge (top or bottom) if it is not placed on a plate to avoid leakage on to ANYTHING below. Full stop - common sense.

 

[il@28Acsh]

my bread lives in the freezer. I take out 2 slices when I need them and none goes off.

Me too!!

 

[Mrs Robyn]

my bread lives in the freezer. I take out 2 slices when I need them and none goes off.

Same

 

[Ebby]

Me too!!

She should not be putting plastic wrapped meat on any shelf in her fridge (top or bottom) if it is not placed on a plate to avoid leakage on to ANYTHING below. Full stop - common sense.

l always take any meat out of the plastic wrappings as soon as l get home and place any joints of meat in a dish which allows for any blood leakage. Our bread stays in the freezer then in the fridge and lasts a few days and thats probably because of all the preservatives they put into it.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I commend her on an organised refrigerator…but
“ Obviously knows nothing about microbiology as to where to store items in the refrigerator…meat always on the lowest shelf. No bread in the refrigerator, this practice stales bread far more quickly than leaving on the bench. Fruit and vegetables in the crispers to promote longevity of these products”

And guess where the fruit and veg crisper is in a fridge?

AT THE BOTTOM!!!!

 

[Jest]

she can have it how she likes. I use turntables in my fridge in fact everywhere i can. easy peasy

 

[Ebby]

she can have it how she likes. I use turntables in my fridge in fact everywhere i can. easy peasy

Never heard of it sounds a good idea

 

[Jest]

Never heard of it sounds a good idea

you can buy all sizes and even ones that fit in corners. i have used them for years. great in a pantry, just turn and thee will find.

 

[Veggiepatch]

you can buy all sizes and even ones that fit in corners. i have used them for years. great in a pantry, just turn and thee will find.

Do you mean a square turntable in a corner? That would work well....

 

[SylviaK]

I make my own bread, 3 loaves at the time. 2 loaves into the freezer, one loaf into the fridge. Slice off what you need and pop in the toaster, the rest goes back. In NQ, we keep more food stuffs in the fridge. Meat is always on a tray/plate to avoid leakage.

I do the same with meat. Always on a plate so that any leakages can't contaminate anything else. I don't like bread kept in either the fridge or freezer, but for long term I think the freezer wouldbe preferable. I keep my bread in a bread bin and only buy half sized loaves. Hubby on the other hand, always keeps his bread in the freezer. I eat a different kind of bread so there's no conflict. I guess we all have our own preference and foibles.

 

[Ezzy]

One thing that was very noticeable was how very little was in the fridge.

 

[Jest]

Do you mean a square turntable in a corner? That would work well....

yep. kmart.

 

[Kevin. A.]

We store our bread in the fridge otherwise it can start to go moldy within a few days (QLD). The humidity is the killer. As long as you store meat in a sealed container or dish it has no chance of contaminating other food stuff on lower shelves.

 

[gamiry]

I bring my meat from the supermarket and put it, as is, straight into the freezer then defrost it when I want to cook it. No hassle.