How to clean your refrigerator if it contained a recalled food item
CDC graphic.
If you have a recalled food item in your refrigerator, it’s important to throw out the food and clean your refrigerator. Germs in the recalled food could spread to drawers or shelves in your refrigerator.
How to Clean Your Refrigerator After a Food Recall
Items needed to clean your refrigerator:
• Sealable bags
• Hot, soapy water
• Clean towels
• Optional: water and bleach
Step 1 – Throw out recalled food
• Throw out the recalled food, and any other foods stored with it or touching it.
• Put it in a sealed bag in the garbage.
• If the recalled food was stored in a reusable container, wash the container with hot, soapy water before reusing.
Step 2 – Empty your refrigerator
• Empty the rest of the items in your refrigerator and put them on a counter or table while you clean.
• Take out shelving, drawers, and any other removable parts.
• Don’t leave foods out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours.
Step 3 – Wash the removable parts of your refrigerator
• Wash shelving, drawers, and any other removable parts by hand with hot, soapy water.
• Dry the washed parts with a clean towel.
• Don’t run cold glass shelves or drawers under hot water because the glass could crack. Let them come to room temperature first.
Step 4 – Clean and sanitize the inside of your refrigerator
• Wipe the inside of the empty refrigerator with hot, soapy water; then wipe with clean water to rinse off the soap.
• Dry the cleaned areas with a clean towel.
• Wipe the inside of the doors and any drawers that cannot be removed.
• After cleaning the refrigerator with hot, soapy water, use a solution of 1 tablespoon of liquid bleach in 1 gallon of water to sanitize your refrigerator.
Step 5 – Return the shelves, drawers, and food to your refrigerator
• Put the shelves, drawers, and other removable parts back in the refrigerator, along with the other items you took out.
And don’t forget to:
• Wash your hands with water and soap once you’ve finished cleaning.
• Use hot, soapy water to wipe kitchen counters that held food, drinks, refrigerator parts, and any cleaning materials.
• Wash and dry the towels you used to clean and dry the refrigerator with before using them again.