Where should raw meat be stored in a refrigerator relative to other foods?

• A. On lower shelves away from ready-to-eat foods to prevent cross-contamination.
• B. On the top shelf next to ready-to-eat foods.
• C. In the freezer section.
• D. In sealed containers at any height.

Answer: (C)

Raw meat juices can contaminate other foods if they drip or splash. The safest practice is to store raw meat on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, and keep it in a leak-proof container or tightly wrapped to contain any juices. This bottom placement uses gravity to prevent drips from reaching ready-to-eat foods that won’t be cooked before eating. Placing raw meat on a higher shelf near ready-to-eat foods increases cross-contamination risk. The freezer section is for frozen storage, not for refrigerated meat. Sealing containers helps, but location matters most for preventing cross-contamination.