Reducing harmful mold in your refrigerator

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Reducing harmful mold in your refrigerator

By: Marcie Fraser

http://www.capitalnews9.com/content/health_team_9/?

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What's lurking in your refrigerator? It could be toxic mold.

If you're not cleaning out your refrigerator every four months,

you're behind.

Diane Whitten of Cornell ative Extension said, " Toxic mold is

a microscopic fungi that grows on certain plants or animals, meats

and produce. They're not necessarily dangerous, some are good and

some are bad. "

A clean fridge will help reduce mold from growing. Wipe it down with

baking soda and water. Use Clorox on dark moldy areas often found in

the seal, and make sure it's tight and clean.

If it's cracked or torn, replace it. If the fridge needs repair,

don't wait. And if there is mold on your food, is it safe to cut

around it and still eat it?

" Hard cheeses, like cheddar, Monteray jack, brick swiss cheese, you

don't have to throw that out. You can cut off about an inch away

from the mold, you can save the rest, " said Whitten.

If there is mold on soft foods like cottage cheese, bread, fruits or

vegetables, whipped cream or yogurts, toss it. If you do ingest

mold, keep an eye on how your body reacts.

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Food safety

Food safety and your refrigerator. Do you have food in your fridge

that's been there a while? It could contain harmful mold.

" Some molds cause allergic reactions in people, respiratory problems

and certain molds can form a microscopic toxin that can make people

very ill, " said Whitten.

When serving food, keep it covered as much as possible. To prevent

mold from getting onto the food, keep it stored in the refrigerator

at the proper temperature.

For fridge and food safety keep the temperature between 36 and 40

degrees. Don't overload your refrigerator, it will prevent air from

circulating which cools the food evenly. And in the event of a power

outage, keep the freezer shut. A freezer full of food will last two

days.

" Don't leave perishables out more than two-to-three days, and use

leftovers within three-to-four days, " said Whitten.

For more information:

Cornell ative Extension

50 West High Street

Ballston Spa, NY

518-885-9078

Visit the website.