5 Foods You Should Not Store Next To Each Other

A well-organised fridge is not only about making everything easier to find. Where you place certain foods can also influence how quickly they lose freshness.
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Some fruits and vegetables naturally release ethylene, a plant hormone associated with ripening. Other produce can be sensitive to it, meaning storing certain foods separately can help slow unwanted changes in quality.

Here are some combinations worth paying attention to when organising your kitchen.


1. Apples And Sensitive Produce

Apples produce ethylene as they ripen. Keeping them close to ethylene-sensitive fruits and vegetables can contribute to faster ripening in those foods.

If you want to extend the useful life of delicate produce, storing it separately can be a simple food storage tip.


2. Bananas And Other Fruits

Bananas also produce ethylene as they ripen. Keeping a large bunch directly beside other sensitive produce may encourage faster ripening.

This does not mean bananas need to be isolated from the entire kitchen. It simply helps to be aware of what sits immediately next to them.

3. Strong-Smelling Foods And Delicate Foods

Certain foods have powerful aromas that can transfer to other items, particularly when they are not properly covered.

Strong cheeses, pungent vegetables and heavily flavoured leftovers are better kept sealed rather than sitting uncovered beside foods that easily absorb smells.


4. Ripe Fruit And Produce You Want To Keep Longer

One very ripe piece of fruit can change the environment around it. Instead of leaving overripe produce mixed with everything else, check your fruit bowl regularly and move anything that needs to be eaten soon.

This small habit can improve food freshness and reduce unnecessary waste.

5. Raw Foods And Ready-To-Eat Foods

This is less about ripening and more about safe kitchen organisation. Raw meat, poultry and seafood should be kept securely separated from foods that are ready to eat.

Use sealed containers and place raw foods where they cannot leak onto other ingredients.

Keep Storage Simple

Good fridge organisation does not require dozens of containers or an elaborate system. The basics matter most: keep foods covered, separate raw and ready-to-eat items, pay attention to ripening and avoid leaving strong-smelling foods uncovered.


A few small changes can help your kitchen stay cleaner and make it easier to keep track of what needs to be eaten first.