Raw meat should be stored below ready‑to‑eat foods in the fridge to prevent any dripping juices from contaminating them.

Quick Scoop

  • Always keep:
    • Ready‑to‑eat foods (salads, cooked dishes, dairy, desserts) on higher shelves.
    • Raw meat, poultry, and fish on the lowest shelf, in a sealed or covered container.
  • The key idea: gravity. If raw meat leaks, it can only drip downwards, so putting it underneath ready‑to‑eat food stops cross‑contamination.

So, in relation to ready‑to‑eat foods, raw meat must be stored in the lower/bottom position in the refrigerator.