A refrigerator might have the latest technology and safety features, but food deterioration and contamination cannot be prevented if mold or bacteria begin to grow inside it. Fluctuating temperatures, packing the refrigerator with food so tight that air cannot circulate, blocking the cooling units and preventing uniform cooling, and not cleaning the refrigerator periodically are all invitations to food-borne illnesses. This article has some safety and storage tips for refrigerating food to keep these concerns away and keep the food fresh.

Mold
Mold is a type of fungus that can grow both indoors and outdoors. It is mostly black or green and grows in moist places with no direct sunlight. Exposure to mold can cause infections and result in coughing, sneezing, headaches, and even respiratory diseases.
A refrigerator is an ideal place for mold to thrive as it is moist, dark, and there is hardly any air circulation. You can find mold in the drawers or the gasket of the refrigerator door as well as on the shelves and interior walls if spilled food is left unattended. Mold can also form in food even if it is covered and dry but has been lying in the refrigerator for a long time.
You should clean the refrigerator as soon as you spot molding and not postpone the cleaning. Empty all the contents and clean every corner and shelf properly. Look closely for mold and use vinegar or baking soda to clean it off. You can also use a soft scrub cloth to remove newer molds and toothbrushes to remove the stubborn ones. Additionally, you can use warm water for good effect. Then, wipe the containers, double-check for mold, and replace them.

Bacteria
The food in your refrigerator stays fresh because bacteria cannot thrive in cold temperatures. Microbes and bacteria survive in temperatures of about 40°F, so a very important safety and storage tip for refrigerating food is to maintain the temperature between 32 and 40°F. The temperature should be as required by the climate in your area and the amount and type of food stored. Bacteria can thrive in stale food as well as food drippings, and bacteria multiplication can also be a result of frequent temperature fluctuations.

Some foodborne diseases that can be caused by bacteria are:

• Food poisoning
• Flu
• Listeriosis (this infection can spread to the brain, leading to meningitis)
• Salmonella
• Diarrhea

How to prevent these illnesses?

• Clean your refrigerator periodically to not only remove mold and bacteria but to also lower the causes of any illness.
• Regularly check packaged food and discard anything that has passed its use-by date.
• Discard leftovers from take-outs and potlucks that have been lying around for more than 2 weeks.
• If your child has left some milk in their glass, never pour it back into the carton.
• Another safety and storage tip for refrigerating food correctly is to wipe up spills right away.
• Check the temperature regularly and ensure that it is maintained correctly.
• The smell would give away bacterial contamination, so take action immediately and do not ignore it.