5 Basic Steps in Storing Meat

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Eid al-Adha festivity is surely going to have many household refrigerators full of Qurbani meat, or meat from the sacrificial livestock after the Eid Al-Adha festivity. Citing Food Safety, the following are safe steps in storing meat for future uses. 

1. Check the quality of the meat

First off, make sure the meat you are about to store is still fresh, which can be shown from its bright colors, and that it does not ooze unpleasant odors. Do not refrigerate meat cuts that look to be past their expiry date or use-by-date. 

2. Use proper containers

Meat, whether it red meat or poultry, should be stored inside sealed or airtight containers as it prevents cross-contamination with other meats in the fridge or other foods you may keep in the same fridge. 

3. Separate meats in portions 

Cut the meat into small pieces, then separate it in a different container before storing it in the refrigerator to ease your portion management for future meals. Separate raw meat from cooked or other food to prevent cross-contamination.

4. Set the refrigerator temperature

Cold and freezing temperatures help prevent the growth of bacteria. Do not frequently open and close the refrigerator, and avoid re-freezing meat that has been removed from the freezer.

5. Freezing meat 

If you plan on storing meat for an extended amount of time, you should consider storing it in the refrigerator’s freezer as it extends the shelf life of meat. Meat should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before freezing. It is also important to note the meat by marking the freeze date on the packages.

KAKAK INDRA PURNAMA

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