In a refrigerator, ready-to-eat foods should be stored which way relative to raw animal products?

• A. On the bottom shelf, below raw animal products.
• B. Beside raw animal products.
• C. Above raw animal products.
• D. In the vegetable crisper.

Answer: (C)

Store ready-to-eat foods on the higher shelves of the refrigerator, above raw animal products. The main safety idea is to prevent cross-contamination from raw juices or drips. Raw animal products should be kept on the lower shelves (ideally in a leak-proof container) so gravity helps keep any spills away from ready-to-eat items. Keeping ready-to-eat foods above reduces the risk of contamination from dripping liquids. The vegetable crisper isn’t the right place for raw meats, and storing ready-to-eat items below raw foods would increase contamination risk.