Consumer group Which? has encouraged shoppers to reconsider their usual food storage habits, highlighting that some everyday items may actually deteriorate more quickly when kept in cold, damp conditions. In a video shared on Facebook and TikTok via the @Which? account, the organisation challenged the common belief that refrigerated food always remains fresher for longer.
The video outlined five surprising foods that are best not stored in the fridge, focusing on staples frequently found in household kitchens. Among these, Which? advised that cucumbers should be kept out of the fridge as cold temperatures can cause their skin to shrivel and the flesh to soften. Instead, cucumbers are better stored in a cupboard or placed in a bowl on the countertop.
Similarly, tomatoes were noted to lose both texture and flavour when refrigerated, making room temperature the preferred storage choice. The advice also included onions, bread, and bananas as items more successfully stored outside the refrigerator.
READ MORE: Princess Eugenie Honours Late Queen Elizabeth II in Naming Daughter
READ MORE: Victorian Barn in Forest of Dean Approved for Residential Restoration
Which? explained that onions can become soft or develop mould if refrigerated due to moisture exposure. Whole onions, therefore, should be kept in a cool, dry place. However, cut or sliced onions can be refrigerated provided they are sealed in a container.
Regarding bread, the experts highlighted that cold air can dry it out, causing it to stale faster. Using a bread bin for storage is recommended, while excess bread can be frozen-ideally sliced beforehand to facilitate toasting directly from the freezer.
The guidance noted that some fruits, such as small berries and citrus fruits, are suitable for refrigeration. However, bananas should not be chilled; instead, they are best kept in a cool space like a cupboard or a fruit bowl.
The video sparked varied responses from viewers. One Facebook commenter wrote, “Cucumber in the fridge. Not leaving it out in this heat!” Another expressed disagreement about bananas, stating, “Totally disagree I always keep bananas in the fridge the skin might go black but the fruit is great yellow and still firm.”
Other viewers shared personal experiences, with one saying, “I’ve kept cucumbers, onions and tomatoes in the fridge for years without problems, although I do take tomatoes out a few hours before using.” Meanwhile, a different user commented, “Would never keep bananas or onions in a fridge but always tomatoes and cucumbers.”