There are hundreds of hidden hazards in your fridge that you are unaware of, from the carefully packed plastic containers to the washed fruits you store in your refrigerator.
Stocking things in your fridge for days on end is probably not a good idea. But it’s not just the number of days you stock your groceries for, it’s also what you stock. However, you needn’t panic, we have compiled a list of everything that can be a potential source of danger to your health, which you should probably throw out as soon as possible.
1. Re-refrigerating open tins of canned food
PHOTO: Deposit Photos
Open tins of canned goods in the fridge, especially those with acidic contents like fruit juice or tomatoes, may cause the metal to transfer into the food and create a metallic taste, so it is best to store canned contents in a separate food storage container or covered bowl. Food high in tin concentration can cause adverse short-term symptoms like fever, nausea and diarrhea. Not only that but tin cans with an open lid expose the food to bacteria and open air in the fridge.
2. Old leftovers
PHOTO: State Food Safe
According to FoodSafety.gov, the storage time for leftovers in the fridge should not exceed four days to prevent food-borne illnesses. Past four days and you are at risk of consuming contaminated food that can cause food poisoning, symptoms can include upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea.
3. Moldy fruit
PHOTO: UCR Today
We usually dispose of only the visible moldy portion of food and save the rest, but what we don’t realize is that mold penetrates deep below the food’s surface, especially for soft items like berries, peaches and tomatoes. Heavy mold growth indicates that ”root” threads are inside, which spread poisonous substances, so it is safest to dispose of the entire food item. Mold produces spores, which in a fridge’s environment spread by air, so make sure to carefully check nearby foods for contamination.
Better yet, consume your fruits within a day or two of purchase so that you don’t have to throw them away when they become moldy.
4. Canned soup
PHOTO: Huffington Post
A research by Harvard School of Public Health showed that consuming canned soup over five days increased the concentration of toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in urine by over 1000% as compared to subjects that consumed fresh soup over five days. The difference was due to the exposure of BPA in the lining of cans. This endocrine disrupting chemical is linked to obesity, liver damage and other health problems.
5. Processed meat
PHOTO: Telegraph
Deli slices may seem healthy enough, but they’re usually packed with added salt and nitrates, which have been associated with a higher incidence of cancer; a 50 gram increased daily consumption of processed meat, such as cold cuts and sausage, is associated with a 19% increased risk of the disease in humans.
Stock fresh chicken breasts and turkey meat instead.
6. Take-away leftovers that have been out for more than two hours
PHOTO: Safe Food
Perishable food that has been at room temperature for more than two hours is at risk of bacterial growth and is no longer safe eat. For example, your restaurant leftovers won’t be safe to eat if you tote them to a movie before taking them home.
Also, food exposed to temperatures over 90° F, like an outdoor summer picnic, will only last for less than an hour.
7. Margarine
PHOTO: Shanon’s Kitchen
Tossing a cheap box of bright-yellow margarine into your grocery basket is budget-friendly, but it’s only going to harm your body later. It’s loaded with partially or fully hydrogenated fats, which up “bad” LDL cholesterol, and therefore raise heart disease risk as well as inflammation.
Our advice? Toss away your margarine and use coconut oil instead, it’s a heart-healthy fat that has been shown to improve cholesterol profiles, reduce inflammation, and rev metabolism.
8. Apple juice
PHOTO: Huffington Post
Drinks with added sugar are ones you should stay away from—and if the label says “juice drink,” definitely set it back on the shelf. Apple and cranberry juices are two examples of drinks that are heavy on sweetener and light on nutrition, even though they sound healthy.
The right juice can help you recover after a hard workout and keep your blood flowing properly.
9. Avoid labels “Low-Fat”, “Fat-Free” or “Diet”
PHOTO: Health Talk Women
When manufacturers remove the fat, they often compensate for the lack of flavor with added sugar, artificial chemicals, and processed product that are low in nutrients. Take a closer look at the nutrition label – you may find that these products are actually junk food in disguise!
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