The ideal temperature for a refrigerator is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) . This temperature inhibits the growth of microorganisms that can cause foodborne illnesses, such as salmonella, listeria, and E. coli. It is important to keep your refrigerator at the correct temperature to prevent fresh food from spoiling too quickly and to slow the growth of bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses.

It is also important to note that the temperature controls on many fridges only allow you to choose from a series of numbers, usually 1 through 5, with 1 being the coldest and 5 being the warmest. Even when refrigerators have digital controls for setting precise temperatures, the settings aren’t always accurate. Therefore, it is recommended to use a refrigerator thermometer to ensure that the temperature is at or below 40°F.

For the freezer, the FDA recommends a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Properly storing food at this temperature prevents the growth of bacteria, although it doesn’t kill any bacteria already on the food. It is also important to practice food safety measures like washing your hands before handling food, cleaning surfaces frequently, and putting food in the fridge or freezer quickly.