With heat, we think of hydrating, closing the shutters … but very often, We forget to adjust your fridge. However, too high a temperature in the device can transform a simple yogurt into a microbes bomb.
And it does not only depend on the heat wave. Throughout the year, Food safety begins inside the refrigerator. A bad temperature, poor storage, and it is the bacteria that benefit from the menu.
4 degrees, no more
According to theHandlesthe national health safety agency, the ideal temperature of a fridge is between 0 and +4 ° C in its coldest area. This threshold allows slow down the growth of germs like Listeria monocytogenes Or Salmonella Enterica.
“”A temperature below +4 ° C stops the growth of the majority of pathogenic germs “specifies the agency.
But beware: Show 4 ° C on the screen does not guarantee that the whole device is very cold. It’s necessary Check with a thermometerespecially if the device is old or does not have a green control table.
And don’t forget that an overloaded fridge, or an open door for too long, climb the interior temperature without even realizing it.
How to put well to keep your food in the fridge
The temperature is not everything. Still it is necessary organize logically. Here are the good practices validated by ANSES:
Some simple gestures to avoid unpleasant surprises
A badly adjusted refrigerator is sometimes symptoms of intoxication the next day. And no need to break the cold chain in a truck to get there.
- A good reflex: place a Thermometer in the upper part From the fridge, often the least cold. This makes it possible to identify areas at risk;
- Also think of Clean the interior at least once a monthwith soapy water or white vinegar, to avoid invisible molds and residues;
- Finally, be vigilant in the event of a power cut or breakdown: The cold escapes quicklyand food can become unfit for consumption without even changing appearance or odor.