This is the correct way to store sausages in the refrigerator so they last longer

Sausages are an essential part of many Mexican families' pantries due to their ease of consumption, as they don't necessarily have to be eaten cooked, and their versatility allows them to be incorporated into breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

Although this product is widely consumed in the country, the reality is that few people know how to store it to ensure its quality for a longer period of time.

If not refrigerated properly, eating them can cause food poisoning or accelerate their decomposition. For this reason, here's what you should consider when storing sausages.

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There are many types of sausages on the market, so handling them before and after cooking can be confusing.

First, these products are sold raw. They are made with various types of meat, including beef, pork, lamb, veal, turkey, or chicken.

The official website of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in its section on food safety, indicates that raw sausages should always be cooked to a minimum temperature of 71°C, because their ingredients can be affected by pathogens.

However, when it comes to storage, dried sausages (such as pepperoni and salami) are shelf-stable products, so they do not require refrigeration or freezing. However, they should be consumed with caution by people vulnerable to stomach ailments.

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According to the USDA, all other sausage varieties should be kept refrigerated for 1 to 2 days. Once cooked, they should be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days at a minimum temperature of 40°F.

On the other hand, the Australian Food Safety Institute recommends placing perishable items—such as sausages—in the coldest part of the refrigerator, without freezing them.

He also advises handling them with clean, dry hands to avoid contaminating them and turning them into a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

How to increase the consumption time of sausages?

Consuming and storing food properly prevents waste. Therefore, it's important to consider the expiration date and the amount of time it has been stored in the refrigerator.

Monste Meléndez, a food engineer and social media content creator, offers additional tips for storing sausages and extending their shelf life.

• Don't wash sausages if they feel sticky; although the liquid left in the packaging comes from the sausage itself, it's best to discard them if they have an unusual color or texture.
• Store these types of products in their original packaging (only if it has an airtight seal); otherwise, place them in a resealable container.
• If you plan to freeze cold cuts, remove the oxygen from the packaging so that the freezing process doesn't affect their shelf life. Love Food Hate Waste, a global campaign that seeks to reduce food waste, suggests keeping cold cuts covered in the refrigerator and separate from other raw products to avoid cross-contamination.
• When thawing sausages, remove them from the freezer and refrigerate them for a day. They should never be thawed at room temperature.

Food safety at home is possible when you supervise the handling of sensitive products, such as raw meats and sausages. Always checking the expiration and best-before dates is essential to avoid health risks.

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