Refrigerator & freezer temperatures
Why 4 °C and −18 °C are the reference points, where cold air actually sits inside a fridge, and how to check with a thermometer.
Read articleSafe food storage · Canada
Storing food at the right temperature, in the right place.
Reference notes for household kitchens: how cold a refrigerator should run, how to label and date what you keep, and how to arrange a pantry so older items get used first.
Three topics
Where most household storage questions begin
Labeling and dating stored food
A consistent date format, what to write on leftovers and frozen portions, and how a first-in, first-out habit reduces waste.
Read articlePantry layout and shelf organization
Grouping by category, placing heavy items low, keeping a clear humidity and light profile, and rotating stock without a spreadsheet.
Read article
How to read these notes
Practical, source-aligned, kitchen-sized
Each article keeps to one task and points to official Canadian food safety guidance where exact figures matter. Temperatures use Celsius, the unit used on Canadian appliance dials and packaging.
- Reference temperatures stated in °C.
- Date format kept consistent across the site (YYYY-MM-DD).
- External links go only to Health Canada and the CFIA.
Contact
Send a note or correction
For questions about the notes published here, use the form. General food safety questions specific to your situation are best directed to the official Canadian resources listed below.
- Reference
- Health Canada — Food safety tips
- Reference
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Last updated
- May 29, 2026