The Eat-First Fridge Basket That Makes Leftovers Harder to Forget

Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below and use an appliance thermometer if you are unsure. Raw meat and poultry should stay contained on a low shelf so juices cannot drip onto ready-to-eat food. The eat-first basket is for appropriate prepared items, not a reason to mix everything together.

Give every container a useful label

Write what the food is and when it was prepared or opened. A lid that says ‘Tuesday rice and beans’ tells you more than a mystery container with a faded marker mark. Follow individual food and package guidance; do not assume every ingredient has the