8. Items You Might Have Missed
As you finish your purge, there are a few other categories of items that often get overlooked. Doing a final sweep for these can complete your refrigerator reset.
Long-Forgotten Frozen Foods
Many refrigerators have a top or bottom freezer compartment that becomes a frozen time capsule. While freezing food dramatically slows the growth of bacteria, it doesn’t preserve food quality forever. Over time, food can develop freezer burn—dehydrated patches that look like grayish-brown leathery spots. While freezer-burned food is safe to eat, its texture and flavor will be significantly compromised.
Go through your freezer and look for anything that is unidentifiable, heavily coated in ice crystals, or has been in there for over a year. A good practice is to label and date everything you put in the freezer. A general guideline is that most cooked dishes last about 2-3 months, while raw poultry and ground meats last a bit longer. Consult the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for a detailed freezer storage chart.
Opened Juices and Beverages
Once opened, pasteurized juices should be consumed within 7 to 10 days. Even though they are in the fridge, bacteria can begin to grow. If the juice has a fermented, vinegary smell or the container is bulging, it’s definitely time to pour it out.
Eggs Past Their Date
Egg cartons have several dates, which can be confusing. The “Sell-By” date is a guide for the store, not necessarily for you. The “Best By” date is for quality. According to the FDA, you can typically use eggs for three to five weeks after you bring them home, provided you purchased them before the “Sell-By” date. If you’re unsure, use the float test described earlier. Any egg that has a strong, unpleasant odor when cracked should be discarded immediately.
