Mom, in her hospice bed, grinned at me with a twinkle in her eye when I joked, “Did you have something to do with that?”
It’s no exaggeration to say that Mom had strong opinions about food safety—and let’s just say she found creative ways to make her point. Twice, in fact. This story involves two mysteriously doomed refrigerators, Mom’s stubborn (and possibly supernatural) influence, and some lessons about bacteria, mold, and how to keep your fridge clean without triggering chemical or fragrance sensitivities.
The Great Refrigerator Collapse(s)
Before Mom passed away, she tried to impress upon me the importance of the three-day rule: don’t keep leftovers longer than three days, or you risk breeding bacteria that could harm your health and contaminate your fridge. I brushed it off. After all, I’ve been fine eating week-old soup and casseroles my whole adult life!
“Mom,” I told her, “I haven’t gotten sick yet.”
She wasn’t impressed. “Yet,” she muttered while widening her eyes for emphasis.
A few days later, my shiny three-year-old, bottom-freezer fridge—the one I’d laughingly nicknamed the Cadillac—died, out of nowhere. Mom, in her hospice bed, grinned at me with a twinkle in her eye when I joked, “Did you have something to do with that?”
In the midst of post-COVID supply chain disruptions, I spent over a month fridge-less before finally getting the new one installed. Mom begged me to follow the three-day rule, scrub my brand new fridge frequently, inside and out, and keep bacteria at bay. I promised I’d try.
But between her passing, sorting through her affairs, and caring for Steven, my companion–who was diagnosed with incurable, metastatic prostate cancer just two months after Mom’s death–I just couldn’t stick to the rules.
As fate would have it, less than six months later, my new fridge stopped working, too—completely out of the blue. Coincidence? Maybe. But if you’d known Mom and her flair for making her point stick, you might suspect some supernatural meddling was at play! Was it Mom’s shenanigans, or just my bad luck?
Well, shenanigans or not, I looked into it and discovered that Samsung refrigerators rank among the worst for reliability and repairs (Consumer Reports, 2024). Both of my previous units were the same Samsung model, ordered directly from the factory. To make matters worse, the most recent installation wasn’t as professional as I had expected, which could have damaged the cooling system. Mom’s message was about bacteria and food safety, but the fridge failures seemed like her way of underlining the importance of her advice. For the third refrigerator, I decided to play it safe on all fronts: I went with a trusted local dealer and installer, switched to the highly rated LG brand, and have been more diligent about cleaning and tossing older food.
Food Safety Facts Mom Would Want You to Know
Let’s talk science because Mom would want you to understand why she was so adamant. Here’s what I’ve learned since my double fridge fiasco:
The Three-Day Rule
Leftovers should be eaten or discarded within three to four days, according to the USDA. Harmful bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes can thrive in refrigerators, especially if food is stored too long. Unlike most bacteria, Listeria can grow at temperatures as low as 34°F, meaning even a properly chilled fridge isn’t foolproof.
Reheating Properly
Mom was never a fan of microwaves for reheating, and she was onto something. Microwaves often heat unevenly, leaving cold spots where bacteria can survive. Experts recommend reheating leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F. For consistent results, use a stovetop or oven, which heat more evenly (Tagle & Gharib, 2024).
Lingering Bacteria and Mold
Here’s the part Mom tried to hammer home: bacteria and mold can thrive inside fridges. Studies show even clean-looking refrigerators can harbor pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Aspergillus mold spores. These pathogens transfer to new foods through contact, contaminating fresh produce or stored meals (NSF International, 2013). Mold not only causes spoilage but can also trigger allergies and respiratory issues.
SIBO and Autoimmune Vulnerability
Mom’s fear of lingering bacteria wasn’t just paranoia—it was informed by her struggles with Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). SIBO occurs when bacteria that should stay in the large intestine migrate to the small intestine, causing bloating, pain, and malnutrition. People with autoimmune conditions, like Mom, are more vulnerable to SIBO, even without heavy antibiotic use (Miele et al., 2009).
Fridge Cleaning Tips (Non-Toxic and Mom-Approved!)
I’m finally following Mom’s advice to keep my fridge clean, and here’s how I do it:
1. Empty It Completely: Once a month, take everything out.
2. Use Natural Cleaners: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, or use 3% hydrogen peroxide as a powerful, odorless bacteria killer. (Bonus: hydrogen peroxide also tackles mold.)
3. Scrub the Shelves: Remove shelves and bins, wash them in warm soapy water, and wipe down interior surfaces with your cleaning solution.
4. Dry Thoroughly: Mold thrives in moisture, so dry everything before putting it back.
5. Check Expiration Dates: Toss anything questionable, especially leftovers lingering past the three-day mark.
A Final Word of Love and Teaching
Mom might have been laughing at me from the great beyond as I scrambled to replace two refrigerators. But what she really left behind wasn’t a curse—it was wisdom and love. She wanted me to stay healthy, even when I wasn’t ready to listen.
Mom, I get it now. I’m cleaning my fridge, eating my leftovers or tossing them more quickly, and keeping bacteria and mold at bay. And to anyone reading this: listen to your moms. Sometimes, their last words stick in the most unexpected ways.
References
Consumer Reports. (2024). Best refrigerators of 2024.
– NSF International. (2013). Refrigerator food safety: How clean is your kitchen?
– Miele, L., Valenza, V., La Torre, G., Montalto, M., et al. (2009). Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 15(12), 1424–1427.
– Tagle, G., & Gharib, M. (2024, November 15). Reheating leftovers the safe way: Tips for avoiding foodborne illnesses. NPR.
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