What is the appropriate storage order for food in a refrigerator?

The appropriate storage order for food in a refrigerator is crucial for preventing cross-contamination and ensuring food safety. The correct choice emphasizes that ready-to-eat foods should be stored at the top of the refrigerator. This positioning minimizes the risk of contamination from raw foods, as any juices or drips from raw meats could potentially contaminate foods that are ready to eat.

Following ready-to-eat foods, seafood, whole cuts of meat, ground meats, and poultry should be stored in descending order with poultry at the bottom. This arrangement is guided by the principle that the highest risk of contamination comes from raw poultry. By keeping poultry at the bottom, any potential drips from it do not contaminate foods above it, particularly those that are ready to eat, which require the highest level of safety.

This hierarchy not only promotes food safety by reducing the risk of cross-contamination but also aligns with best practices in food storage in commercial and home kitchens alike. Proper food storage order is essential to help prevent foodborne illnesses.