The old man was reluctant to throw away the frozen meat in the refrigerator, and almost died. Recently, an elderly person in Shenzhen, Guangdong, suddenly fell to the ground due to overall weakness while using the restroom at night. After the family discovered the abnormality, they urgently sent the elderly person to the hospital. After admission, the elderly still experienced symptoms such as fever, confusion, diarrhea, and urinary and fecal incontinence. Based on medical history, physical examination, and auxiliary tests, the doctor determined that the elderly person had purulent meningitis, and the "culprit" of the disease was the aged frozen meat in the refrigerator! This matter immediately attracted attention. Can the frozen layer of the refrigerator completely inhibit bacteria below 0 ℃? Can using storage containers better preserve food? Can unopened drinks still be consumed after expiration? What are the precautions for storing food in a refrigerator? Can the frozen layer completely inhibit bacteria below 0 ℃? Xu Jinghang, Chief Physician of the Infectious Diseases Department at Peking University First Hospital: There are various types of bacteria that may appear in the frozen layer. Common bacteria that cause intestinal infections, such as Salmonella, Listeria, Shigella, and even Staphylococcus, can survive inside. Even if the temperature in the frozen layer is low, bacteria may still be slowly reproducing, posing a risk of bacterial growth. So from the perspective of food safety, frozen foods should not be stored for too long and should be eaten in a timely manner. Reasonable use of storage containers can better preserve food. In daily life, we often find that even if ingredients are stored in the refrigerator, there may be situations such as dried fruits and vegetables or moldy cooked food. This is because people overlook the close relationship between refrigerator humidity and food preservation effect. Experts suggest that reasonable use of storage containers can better store ingredients. Li Yixuan, Deputy Chief Physician of the Gastroenterology Department at Peking University First Hospital: There are some fresh vegetables and fruits that require high humidity. When storing them, you can put them in a fresh-keeping bag and make a small opening to let them breathe. And cooked food and meat products do not want high humidity. It is recommended to store in a sealed or fresh-keeping box. But overall, the time should not be too long, and it is still recommended to eat fresh food. Can unopened drinks be consumed even if they have expired? Many people believe that throwing away unopened but expired drinks is a waste, and they hold the hope that the shelf life of unopened food will be extended. However, there are hidden gastrointestinal health risks that cannot be ignored. Xu Jinghang, Chief Physician of the Infectious Diseases Department at Peking University First Hospital: Unopened food does not necessarily mean that it will not spoil, especially since beverages contain sugar and some may contain protein. Bacteria are prone to grow on such food. Even if unopened, over time, some foods may not be completely sterilized, allowing bacteria to grow and cause spoilage. Expired foods are not recommended for consumption as they pose a safety risk. How to properly use a refrigerator to store food? Our refrigerator is divided into a refrigerated area and a frozen area. So, how should food be placed scientifically? What are the precautions for daily use of the refrigerator? Precautions for daily use of refrigerator: Store food in a sealed manner: separate raw and cooked food, separate meat and vegetables to avoid cross contamination and cross contamination. Cover or seal cooked food with a fresh-keeping box. Refuse repeated thawing: After removing frozen food, cook it all at once. Repeated thawing can accelerate bacterial growth and damage the taste. Reasonable zoning storage: Place cooked and ready to eat food on the top layer, and place raw meat and seafood on the bottom layer to prevent contamination from blood droplets. Regular cleaning and defrosting: Clean and defrost the inside of the refrigerator every month to keep it clean and reduce bacterial growth. Do not fill the refrigerator: reserve space to ensure air circulation, better cooling effect, and longer food preservation. Frugality is a virtue, but it cannot be achieved at the expense of health. Frugality is a virtue, but excessive frugality may actually harm oneself. For example, many people are reluctant to throw away spoiled ingredients in their diet, cutting off the rotten parts of apples and continuing to eat them. They repeatedly heat leftover food that has been stored for many days and bring it to the table, thinking that they have saved money, but it may pose a hidden danger to their health and require more money to seek medical treatment. True frugality cannot be achieved at the cost of sacrificing health and quality of life. Only by consuming reasonably and spending as needed can we live a comfortable and stable life while being frugal. (Looking into the New Era)