The ideal temperature for a refrigerator is 40°F (4.5°C) or below, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) . This temperature inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses. However, the temperature controls on many refrigerators only allow you to choose from a series of numbers, usually 1 through 5, with 1 being the coldest and 5 being the warmest. Most experts recommend that the ideal temperature setting for a refrigerator is between 35-38°F (1.6-3.3°C) . This temperature ensures food safety by giving a 2-5 degree buffer in case the temperature gauge isnt wholly accurate. If the temperature is too low, it can cause your food to freeze when you dont want it to.
Its important to note that if your refrigerator is older, it may not maintain the same temperature all over. You might want to put two thermometers in an older fridge. Place one on the top shelf closer to the back. Put the other one on the bottom shelf closer to the front. Check both regularly. The refrigerator temperature should remain under 40 degrees in all sections. Dont leave perishable foods out of refrigeration for more than two hours. If the ambient temperature is over 90 degrees, the limit is one hour.
