Beware of a ‘mind-blowing’ viral interior design trend that can actually make you sick
A growing interior design trend could be harmful to your health.
Experts weighed in on ‘fridgescaping’, popularised by the series Bridgerton and social media.
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Allen Civlak, a kitchen expert at Mary’s Kitchen Flour Sack Towels gave his top tips for staying safe while renovating the kitchen.
“Fridgescaping is basically like gardening, but for your refrigerator,” he says.
“Instead of beautifying the garden, people are transforming the inside of their fridge into an Instagram-worthy display case.
“We see carefully curated shelves filled with fresh flowers, vintage containers, matching Tupperware and other decorative items not normally associated with food storage.”
Civlak warned that it’s not all roses and sunshine when it comes to the viral trend.
“While these structures can be visually stunning, they also pose risks that should not be overlooked,” he said.
FRIDGE FAUX PAS
According to Civlak, fridgescaping can lead to potential food safety issues.
“The biggest concern with Fridgscaping is that it could compromise food safety,” he said.
“Refrigerators are designed to keep food at a safe temperature, usually between 1°C and 4°C.
“When you place non-edible items like flowers or antique vases in the refrigerator, they can obstruct air circulation, leading to uneven cooling.
“This can cause parts of the refrigerator to become too warm, creating an environment where harmful bacteria can grow and cause foodborne illness.”
That flashy decor can disrupt the quality of the chilled food.
“Another big risk is cross-contamination,” he said.
“It is risky to place non-edible products close to perishable products. For example, fresh flowers can contain bacteria, pesticides or other contaminants that can be transferred to nearby products.
“This is particularly concerning for products such as fruit, vegetables and ready-made meals that may not be cooked before consumption.”
Civlak also highlighted the risk of injury from fridgescaping.
“Many of the decorative items used in Fridgscaping, such as antique vases or glass containers, are fragile,” he said.
“If any of these items break, you not only run the risk of injury from sharp shards, but also of contaminating food in your refrigerator, making it unsafe to eat.”
Civlak advised to put food safety above all else.
“Always store raw and perishable foods in sealed containers to prevent cross-contamination,” he said.
“Place items like meat, poultry, and seafood on the bottom shelf to prevent drippings from dripping onto other foods. And store fruits and vegetables in dedicated crispers where humidity levels can be controlled.”
Still, influencers are embracing the trend and decorating their fridges.
