Millions of Brits risk food poisoning by ignoring these simple fridge rules

A recent study by white goods and tech retailer Currys has unveiled several knowledge gaps in the UK when it comes to proper food storage. The study involved a survey of 2,000 Brits, asking them about their fridge habits and revealed some concerning trends.

The study found that over 1 in 5 (23%) of Brits didn’t know that the ideal fridge temperature should be 0-5 °C, which is the official recommendation of the Food Standards Agency. What’s more, 42% admit to not checking their fridge temperature regularly, meaning that potentially millions in the UK are putting themselves at risk of food poisoning.

When it came to storage specifics, 61% said they didn’t know that it’s not recommended that dairy products, such as milk, are stored in the fridge door as it’s typically being the warmest part of the fridge, due to the temperature fluctuating when the door is opened and closed.

Additionally, 22% of Brits also didn’t know that raw meat should be kept on the lowest shelf in the fridge, and a third admit to eating meat from the fridge without being 100% sure it was safe to consume. In this case men are nearly twice as likely to do so as women, with 41% of men eating meat they didn’t know was safe, compared to just 26% of women.

Working with Currys, Dr. Helen Onyeaka, an Associate Professor in the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham, specialising in microbiology and sustainable food systems, shared her tips for safer food storage:

“To ensure food safety and minimise contamination risks, proper organisation and storage are essential:

• Top Shelf: Store ready-to-eat foods such as leftovers, cooked meals, and packaged dairy products. This reduces the risk of contamination from raw foods below (Food Standards Agency, 2023).
• Middle Shelf: Suitable for dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt, as these require consistent cold temperatures.
• Bottom Shelf: This is the coldest area, ideal for raw meat, poultry, and fish. Always store these items in sealed, leak-proof containers to prevent raw juices from contaminating other foods.
• Crisper Drawers: Designed for fruits and vegetables. Keep fruits and vegetables in separate drawers to prevent ethylene gas emitted by fruits from speeding up vegetable spoilage (Alfaro, 2021).
• Fridge Door: The warmest area, suitable for condiments, sauces, and beverages (Loh, 2021).”

43% of Brits are storing their eggs in the wrong place

The study also asked UK residents to share their preferred location to store certain consumable items, some of which cause debates. For example, despite the label on tomato ketchups (such as Heinz) stating that once opened it should be “refrigerated and consumed within 8 weeks”, 40% of Brits store theirs in a cupboard instead.

The food people are most confused about when it comes to proper storage turned out to be eggs. Looking at Google searches in the UK, there are over 31k searches for “should I keep eggs in the fridge”, up 26% compared to last year.

The survey revealed that 43% of Brits store their eggs outside of the fridge, with 27% storing them straight on the countertop and 16% choosing to keep them in the cupboard. According to the Food Standards Agency, people should “Store eggs in a cool, dry place, ideally in the fridge and keep them apart from other foods.” As the temperature of the kitchen varied depending on weather, and if cooking appliances were being used, storing eggs on the counter could be putting their quality at risk.

UK Google searches around food storage

You can find the full study here: https://www.currys.co.uk/techtalk/kitchen-and-home/refrigeration-news/beyond-the-shelf-life.html