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Domestic refrigeration: a survey on consumer practices and hygiene recommendations.

Réfrigération domestique : enquête sur les pratiques des consommateurs et recommandations en matière d'hygiène.

Author(s) : LAGENDIJK E., ASSÉRÉ A., DERENS-BERTHEAU E., et al.

Type of article: Article

Summary

An Internet survey was carried out in order to better understand the practices of French users in term of domestic refrigeration, in particular hygiene, in order to establish recommendations. The survey was performed on an appropriate sample of active persons (n= 809). The analysis of the survey showed that progress should be achieved in order to mitigate microbe-related risks. Only 37% of the respondents made sure the temperature of the coldest zone of their refrigerator was under 4°C max. Also, only 37% of the respondents wrapped their food systematically. Sponges, which are notoriously often highly contaminated, are used by 89% of the persons surveyed, to clean their refrigerators, which shows the necessity of recommending sponge disinfection. 27% of the respondents used bleach (sodium hypochlorite) applied without any prior cleaning (21% of users) or in its commercial form as a concentrate (7% of users). The permanent presence of water condensation on shelves is noted by 2% of the sample. This condensation suggests poor door closing and results in higher energy use and the possibility for bacteria to circulate and grow. An important recommendation is therefore to check that the door seal is in good condition and that the door closes properly. 70% of the people surveyed declared they never placed warm foodstuffs in the fridge. However, many persons surveyed verbally admitted that they let foods cool down over a whole night at ambient temperature before placing them in the refrigerator. Therefore, it appears essential to reccommend that perishable foodstuffs must not be kept at ambient temperatures for over 2 hours.

Details

  • Original title: Réfrigération domestique : enquête sur les pratiques des consommateurs et recommandations en matière d'hygiène.
  • Record ID : 2010-1170
  • Languages: French
  • Source: Revue générale du Froid & du Conditionnement d'air - vol. 100 - n. 1101
  • Publication date: 2010/03

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