What is the safe temperature for storing food in a refrigerator?

What is the safe temperature for storing food in a refrigerator?

• A. 32°F (0°C)
• B. 50°F (10°C)
• C. 60°F (15°C)
• D. 41°F (5°C)

Answer: (D)

Keeping perishable foods in the fridge at about 41°F (5°C) or cooler is the safe standard. At this temperature, bacterial growth is slowed enough to reduce the risk of foodborne illness and keep foods from spoiling quickly. The other temperatures aren’t appropriate for normal refrigerator storage: 32°F is the freezing point, which would start freezing many items and isn’t the usual fridge setting; 50°F and 60°F are too warm and allow bacteria to multiply rapidly. So 41°F (5°C) is the best target for safe refrigerator storage.

Keeping perishable foods in the fridge at about 41°F (5°C) or cooler is the safe standard. At this temperature, bacterial growth is slowed enough to reduce the risk of foodborne illness and keep foods from spoiling quickly. The other temperatures aren’t appropriate for normal refrigerator storage: 32°F is the freezing point, which would start freezing many items and isn’t the usual fridge setting; 50°F and 60°F are too warm and allow bacteria to multiply rapidly. So 41°F (5°C) is the best target for safe refrigerator storage.