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FOOD STORAGE TIPS
purchasing
and eaeb r iseClose ca on lids t gbtly to
Fresh Food Storage
keep out air and odors.
_.
The FRESH FOOD
compartment
should be kept at
* Occasionally mold will develop on the surface of hard
¢,_
34°F_t0°F
with an optimum temperature
of 37°F. To
cheeses (Swiss, Cheddar,
Parmesan).
This can be
_"
cbeek thetmnperature,
place an appliancethermometer
trimlned
away and the remaining
cheese will be
in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator,
flavorful and safe to eat.
_1_
t_
Check after 24 hours. If the temperature
is abo_e 40°F
Frozen Food Storage
adjust the control as explab_ed on page 3.
The FREEZER
compartment
should be kept at 0°F or
Axoid overcrowding
the refi-igerator
shelves as this
lowec To cbeek the temperature,
place an appliance
I_
reduces the circulation
of air around the food and
thermometer
between frozen packages and check after
ae
results in uneven cooling.
% hours. If the temperature
is above 0°F, a{iust the
The storage
requirements
ibr different
foods var_
control as described on page 3. A freezer operates more
depending
on the temperature
and moisture needed,
efficiently when it is at least two-thirds Full. It may be
:
Refer to the Food Storage Chart on pages 6-7 for
helpful to fill milk cartons half full of water and place
approximate
storage
times.
To maintain the best
them in the freezer, if not this thll.
qualib_, keep the following considerations in mind:
Refer to the Food Storage
Chart on pages 6-7 for
P_'
approximate
storage times. For the best resnlts when
Meat
and Cheese
freezing foods, follow these guidelines:
Qt_
• To maximize storage time of items in the Temperature
Packaging
Foods
for Freezing
Controlled Drawer dose the drawer tightly and set
the control for the desired coolness. (See page 4).
• When freezing filfits and vegetables select fresh, top-
cluality products,
r_
Fruits
and
VegetabLes
• Use a freezer wrap that is air-, moisture- and vapor
• Storage io the crisper drawer traps moisture to keep
proof. Some good choices are hea;T-duty aluminum
filfits and vegetables fresh. (Refer to page 4).
foil, freezer plastic wrap, pnlyethylene-coated
freezer
paper, freezer bags or airtight containers. Force as
• Qualil), can _ary from item to item, varlet), to variety
much air out of the packages as possible and be sure
and season to season. Sort fruits and vegetables before
they are tightly sealed. Trapped air can cause the fbod
storage and use bruised or sot} items first. Discard
to dly" out, change color and develop an off-flaxor
those showing signs of deeajx
(freezer burn).
• When storing vegetables,
the crisper will perform
• Fresh meats and poultry can be left in the store
better if"it is at least V, v o thirds full If less than two-
wrapping when freezing for less than two weeks. For
*
thirds dill, store vegetables in plastic bags or airtight
longer storage, ovenvrap with a suitable freezer wrap.
containers to reduce moisture loss.
Do not refreeze meat that has completely thawed.
• Always wrap odorous
fbods such as onions and
Loading
the
Freezer
cabbage so the odor does not transfer to other foods.
* Avoid adding too much warm food to the f)ceezer at
• While vegetables need a certain amount of moisture
one time. This overloads the freezer, slows the rate of
to remaiu fresh, too much moisture
can shorten
freezing and can raise the temperature
of already
storage times (especially lettuce).
Drain vegetables
frozen foods.
well before storing. It may be helpful to place a layer
• Place the packages in the coldest part of the Freezer
of paper towels in the bag to absorb excess moisture,
f'
•
lrst (agamst the walls or bottom of"the compartment)
to insure the food freezes as quickly as possible. Leave
Dairy
Food
a little space between
the packages so cold air van
• Store
butter
and
margarine
in
the
Dairy
circulate.
Compartment
found in the refiigerator door.
• Avoid storing hard-to-fi'eeze foods such as ice cream
• IVlostdaiiy foods such as milk, cream, sour cream and
and orange juice on the freezer door shelves. These
cottage cheese have freshness dates on their cartons
foods are best stored in the freezer interior where the
_
for appropriate length of' storage. Store these fbods in
temperature
varies less with door openings.
[
;
the origina/cation
and refi'igerate immediatels
afteJ
PAGE 5
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