:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/keep-on-top-shelf-of-fridge-GettyImages-1165356780-923d7206e82c4c81a50727373dc41c3c.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1 "9 Foods You Should Never Store on the Bottom Shelf of Your Fridge")
Key Points
- The bottom shelf of the fridge is best reserved for raw meats and poultry, as it’s the coldest area and prevents juices from contaminating other foods.
- Ready-to-eat items like leftovers, cooked grains, hard-boiled eggs, and prepared foods should never go on the bottom shelf, where they’re more likely to be exposed to harmful bacteria.
- Delicate foods such as herbs, berries, baked goods, and condiments also don’t belong on the bottom shelf, as the extra cold can damage texture and flavor, and increase spoilage risk.
Your refrigerator is more than just a wide vessel to keep food cold. Sure, it’s a chilly storage unit for everything from sticks of butter to home-cooked leftovers, but not all parts of the fridge are equal.
“The fridge is one of the most important food safety storage areas that we often use incorrectly as a society,” says Rachel Gargano, MS, RD, CSSD, CBS. “There is such nuance in how we place items in the fridge, and most people aren’t aware of the methods that will help keep food the safest.”
A fridge is divided into distinct sections with unique purposes: The fridge door and its designated shelving is convenient, but fluctuates in temperature thanks to all the opening, the crisper is designed to keep produce crisp, and the shelves in the fridge should also be organized with function in mind.
Because heat rises, the top shelf of the refrigerator is warmer than the lower portions. “This shelf should be reserved for foods that are pre-cooked or ready-to-eat, or that do not need to be reheated at high temperatures,” explains Gargano. Read on for the items that you should never store on the bottom shelf of your fridge, because they’re more suited for a spot up top.
- Jennifer Nicole Bianchini, MS, RD, IFNCP, RYT, a functional dietitian and founder of Body to Soul Health
- Rachel Gargano, MS, RD, CSSD, CBS, a California-based registered dietitian with almost 20 years of experience
Leftovers
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“The top shelf is the safest area in the fridge since nothing can leak from above, so anything that has already been cooked should be kept there, such as leftovers,” says Jennifer Nicole Bianchini, RDN. “Additionally, since the top shelf is usually the most visible spot, you will be less likely to forget to eat your prepped meals and leftovers.”
Hard-Boiled Eggs
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Hard-boiled eggs shouldn’t be stored with raw eggs, as the shells can cross-contaminate the cooked eggs. Peeled and unpeeled eggs stay fresh for up to a week on the top shelf of the fridge (as opposed to the bottom) and are an easy grab-and-go snack.
Cooked Grains
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If you batch cook grains for meal prep, or just have a side of rice or pasta leftover, place it on the top shelf instead of the bottom. “Foods that are already cooked or meal prepped have a higher risk of becoming contaminated, so when you store them on the top shelf of the fridge, they are protected from raw juices or bacteria that can leak from items such as raw meats,” says Bianchini.
Cooked Meats
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“Fully cooked meats, such as bacon or sausage, can be stored on the top,” Gargano says. Keep the uncooked meats lower down. “Raw meats and poultry should be kept cold and away from other foods, on the bottom shelf. We don’t want raw meat juices dripping into foods we won’t be cooking,” she adds.
Herbs
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Arrange fresh herbs like a bouquet in a small glass or jar of water, Bianchini suggests. These will keep well on the top shelf of the fridge. Just refresh the water every other day and trim the stems of the herbs, if needed.
Baked Goods
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“Baked goods that need refrigeration, like pies or tortillas, belong on the top shelf,” Gargano says. Again, this prevents any cross-contamination, and these treats don’t need to be as cold as other items.
Berries
Berries shouldn’t be in the coldest area of the fridge! Ideally, they’ll be on the middle or top shelf, in a breathable container with a paper towel or thin cloth to catch any extra moisture at the bottom.
Prepared Foods
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Salad kits, snack packs, supermarket sushi, and other ready-to-eat prepared foods belong on the top shelf along with the leftovers.
Condiments
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Any condiments that don’t fit on the fridge door can be on the top shelf of the fridge, particularly items that don’t necessarily require refrigeration but you prefer to store them in the cold. These items can include nut and seed butters, tahini, vinegars, and more.
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