Tip of the Day
Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day
Just in time for the barrage of holiday food and treats that are about to invade your refrigerator, it's Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.
When cleaning out your fridge, remember most perishable foods have a shelf life of just three to five days. When cleaning prepackaged food, remember the "use by" or "best if used by" date is not a safety-related date. It's the last date recommended for use of the product at optimal quality and the "expiration" date means don't consume the product after this date. If you aren't sure how old something is, remember: "When in doubt – throw it out!"
Always follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions to clean the interior of your fridge. The exterior may be cleaned with a soft cloth and mild liquid dishwashing detergent as well as cleansers and polishes that are made for appliance use. Keep the front grill free of dust and lint to permit free air flow to the condenser.
Don't forget to clean the refrigerator handle, too! That is the part of the fridge that gets touched countless times a day.
For more information on the shelf life of foods and a copy of our Refrigerator Inspection Safety checklist, visit www.HomeFoodSafety.org.
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