Which food items should be stored on a top shelf in a refrigerator?

Ready-to-eat foods should be stored on the top shelf in a refrigerator to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. By placing these foods at the highest level, you help ensure that any potential drips or spills from raw foods, which are typically stored lower to keep them separate and contained, do not come into contact with items that are already safe to eat.

This practice is a crucial aspect of food safety, as ready-to-eat foods are not going to receive any further cooking, which means any bacterial contamination could lead to foodborne illness. Additionally, storing them at the top helps prioritize the protection of these items, making it easier to access them without the risk of exposure to raw products that may contain harmful pathogens.

In contrast, raw meats are generally stored on lower shelves for safety reasons, as they can release juices that might contaminate other foods. Dairy products and vegetables are also typically stored in a manner that keeps them separate from raw items, but they do not have the same critical need for top-shelf placement that ready-to-eat foods do, since they would often be cooked before consumption in the case of vegetables.