KITCHEN · GUIDE AND TOOL
Where to Store Food in the Fridge
Find a place for eggs, raw meat, dairy and leftovers, using USDA and FDA storage guidance.
Search the guide
13 results
Eggs
Interior shelf
Keep in the original carton on a shelf; avoid the door.
USDA: RefrigerationMilk
Interior shelf
Keep refrigerated milk inside the cabinet rather than in the door. Follow the label.
USDA: RefrigerationYogurt
Interior shelf
Keep chilled, covered and away from raw food drips.
USDA: RefrigerationCheese
Interior shelf
Follow package storage instructions and keep covered.
USDA: RefrigerationRaw chicken
Contained raw-food area
Use a sealed container that cannot drip onto ready-to-eat food. A lower shelf is a practical layout choice.
USDA: RefrigerationRaw beef
Contained raw-food area
Contain juices and separate from cooked food.
USDA: RefrigerationRaw pork
Contained raw-food area
Keep in a leakproof container away from ready-to-eat food.
USDA: RefrigerationRaw fish and seafood
Contained raw-food area
Contain any liquid; never let it drip onto other food.
USDA: RefrigerationCooked leftovers
Interior shelf
Refrigerate promptly in shallow containers. Do not wait for a large pot to cool on the counter.
FDA: Refrigerator thermometersCut fruit
Interior shelf
Refrigerate cut fruit in a covered container.
FDA: Refrigerator thermometersPackaged salad and leafy greens
Interior shelf
Keep produce that requires refrigeration chilled, separated from raw meat. Follow the package label.
FDA: Refrigerator thermometersButter
Interior shelf
Follow the label and keep covered; an interior shelf gives more stable temperature than the door.
USDA: RefrigerationShelf-stable condiments
Door, if label permits
Use the door only for products whose label and storage requirements allow it. Check after-opening directions.
USDA: Refrigeration
Example
Eggs stay in their carton on an interior shelf. Raw chicken goes in a leakproof container, arranged so it cannot drip onto other food.
How to use this guide
Check fridge and freezer storage times.
Keep the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below and the freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Use an appliance thermometer. These areas are practical organization choices: any fridge shelf is safe when kept at the required temperature. Contain raw juices and keep them away from ready-to-eat food. Refrigerate perishables within 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
Frequently asked questions
Should eggs go in the door?
USDA recommends the original carton on an interior shelf, away from the door.
Is the bottom shelf always the coldest?
No. Layouts vary. Check the temperature and contain raw-food juices; a lower contained area is an organization suggestion.
Does this calculate expiry dates?
No. Use the food storage-time tool and the package instructions for storage periods.
More tools
Sources and last updated
Official sources checked October 10, 2026. Product instructions and current local rules take priority.
Last updated: · 한국어로 보기