"The Rule of Two": How to Properly Store Food in the Refrigerator
It may seem that the process of storing food and prepared meals in the refrigerator is not at all complicated.
However, there are a few important nuances that need to be taken into account.
For example, it is important to follow the so-called "rule of two". It means that prepared food should be cooled and refrigerated no later than 2 hours after preparation, and then consumed within two days.
These periods are optimal for preserving food. In particular, bacteria begin to multiply in warm food after two hours. The same applies to dishes that are stored in the refrigerator for more than two days.
By the way, the second part of the “rule of two” applies to any opened packages and cans: their contents must be eaten within two days.
It is important to remember that the optimal temperature for storage is 4 degrees above zero. This is the temperature you should set in the refrigerator and not allow it to rise when placing hot food on the shelves.
