Food Storage Guide
There is a coned way to package and store Cheese
refrigerated or frozen food. To keep food fresher, Store in the original wrapping until you are ready
longer, take the time to study these recom- to use it. Gnce opened, rewrap tightly in plastic
mended steps. wrap or aluminum foil.
Leftovers
Storing fresh food
Cover leftovers with plastic wrap or aluminum
Food placed in the refrigerator should be foil. Plastic containers with tight lids can also he
wrapped or stored in air and moisture proaf used.
material. This prevents food odor and taste
transfer throughout the refrigerator. For dated
Storing frozen food
products, check code date to ensure freshness.
The freezer section is designed for storage of
Leafy vegetables commercially frozen food and for freezing food at
Remove store wrapping and trim or tear off home. For further information ahout preparing
bruised and discobred areas. Wash in cold water food for freezing, contact your bcal Cooperative
and drain. Place in plastic bag or plastic con- Extension Service or check a freezer guide or
tainer and store in crisper. wokbwk.
Vegetables wtth skins (carrots, peppers)
Store in crisper, plastic hags or plastic container. The secret of successful freezing is in the
packaging. The way you close and seal the
Frult
package must not allow air or moisture in or out.
Wash, let dry and store in refrigerator in plastic Packaging done in any other way could cause
bags or crisper. Do not wash or hull berries until food odor and taste transfer throughout the
they are ready to use. Sort and keep berries in
refrigerator and drying of frozen food.
their store container in a crisper, or store in a Rigid polyethylene (plastic) containers with
basely cbsed paper hag on a refrigerator shelf.
tight fitting lids, straight-sided canning/freezing
jars, heavy-duty aluminum foil, plastic-coated
Meat
Most meat can he stored in original wrapping as paper and nonpermeable plastic wraps (made
from a Saran film) are recommended. Follow
bng as it is air and moisture proof. Rewrap it
necessary. See the following chart for storage package or container instructions for proper
freezing methods.
times.
Do not use:
Storage chart for fresh and cured meat*
l Bread wrappers
APPROXMATE llME
l Non-polyethylene plastic containers
TYPE (DAYS)
Chicken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 2 l Containers without tight lids
l Waxed paper
Ground beef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 2
Steaks and masts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 to 5 l Waxedcoated freezer wrap
Cured meats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 to 10 l Thin, semi-permeable wrap
Bacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 to 7 The use of these wrappings could cause food
cold cuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 to 5 odor, taste transfer and drying of frozen food.
Variety meats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 2
l tf meat is to be stored bnger than the times Freezing
given, folbw the directions for freezing. Do not expect your freezer to quick-freeze any
large quantity of food. Put no more unfrozen food
NOTE: Fresh fish and sheltfish should he used
the same day as purchased. into the freezer than will freeze within 24 hours.
(No more than 2 to 3 pounds of food per cubic
Eggs foot of freezer space.) Leave enough space for
Store without washing in the original carton on air to circulate around packages. Be careful to
interior shelf. leave enough room at the front so the door can
close tightly.
Milk
Storage times will vary according to the quality
Wipe milk cartons. For best storage, place milk of the food, the type of packaging or wrap used
on interior shelf. (air and moisture proof), and the storage temp-
erature which should he 0°F (-17.8%). For
Butter or margarlne
further information about food storage times,
Keep opened butter in covered dish or closed
contact your local Cooperative Extension Service
compartment. When storing an extra supply, or check a freezer guide or cookbook.
wrap in freezer packaging and freeze.
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ACEC
WHIRLPOOL
