Don't Put Butter on the Refrigerator Door, Nutritionists Warn of the Dangers

Illustration of cheese (Photo: Freepik/wirestock)

JAKARTA - Many people keep butter on the refrigerator door shelf because it feels practical and easy to reach. Some refrigerators have a small compartment with a cover that is often called a butter shelf. However, this habit is actually not appropriate, especially if the butter is not finished in the near future.

A nutritionist revealed that the refrigerator door is actually one of the worst places to store butter for a long time.

The main problem is not just because the refrigerator door is not as cold as the inside, but because the temperature often changes.

"Every time the refrigerator is opened, warm air from the outside comes in immediately and the door is the first to be affected," explained Kathleen Benson, registered dietitian nutritionist (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist), quoted from the Reader's Digest website.

"This repeated temperature change makes the butter constantly soften and then harden again, and it can speed up the rancid process," he continued.

This repeated process of melting and hardening damages the quality of the fat in butter. As a result, butter can lose its natural fresh taste.

Butter that is often exposed to temperature changes does not always immediately mold or look damaged, but its quality decreases.

"Butter that starts to go bad usually has a slightly sour taste, a musty smell, or a slightly grainy texture," said Benson.

"It's rare to cause illness, but it definitely affects the taste of the food you make," he continued.

Because butter is mostly fat, harmful bacteria are not easy to grow in it. However, fat oxidation due to temperature and light exposure can still spoil the taste. According to Benson, the ideal location is the middle or upper shelf in the back of the refrigerator.

"The area has a cooler and stable temperature, and is more protected from light that can accelerate fat oxidation," he said.

He also suggests storing butter in its original packaging or a tightly sealed container. In addition to maintaining quality, this way prevents butter from absorbing the smell of other foods around it.

Although it is not recommended for the long term, storing butter on the refrigerator door can still be tolerated under certain conditions.

"The butter rack at the door is actually designed for butter that is quickly used up, about a week," explained Benson.

"If you consume butter quickly, it's okay to put it there for a while," he continued.

If you buy a lot of butter or rarely use it, you should keep a backup stock in the inside of the refrigerator. Butter is also often placed on the dining table so that it is easy to apply. This is okay, but there are conditions.

"Salted butter can be stored at room temperature for several days as long as it is in a closed container," said Benson.

"But unsalted butter or mixed butter such as garlic and herbal products should not be left outside because it will spoil faster." he continued.

What needs to be avoided is moving butter back and forth from room temperature to the refrigerator and vice versa. Extreme temperature changes like this also accelerate the deterioration of texture and taste.

The refrigerator door is practical, but it's not the best place for butter if you want the taste and quality to be maintained. A little extra effort to store it in the inside of the refrigerator can make butter last longer, not spoil quickly, and still be delicious when used.

So from now on, check again the contents of your refrigerator door, maybe it's time to move the butter to a safer place.