Should butter be stored inside or outside the refrigerator?

When it comes to storing butter and margarine, there are two “schools”: those who prefer to store it in the refrigerator and those who like to keep it at room temperature. But what will be the best practice? Should butter and margarine be stored inside or outside the refrigerator?

Inside or outside the fridge? Where to store butter and margarine

Speaking to Viral, Isabel Ratão, professor in the area of ​​food safety at the Instituto Superior de Engenharia of the University of Algarve, says that both butter and margarine must be stored “inside the fridge”.

This is because, explains the specialist, at “temperatures higher than refrigeration, the chemical reactions that lead to rancidity” of these foods are accelerated and “promotion of growth of microorganismsnamely molds, which can produce toxins, harmful to human health”.

Furthermore, he points out, “during the rancidification process, there is partial destruction of lipids such as vitamin A” and “the formation of products capable of reacting with biomolecules (especially proteins), reducing the possibility of absorption of these nutrients”, as well as “the release of peroxides, which can irritate the intestinal mucosacausing diarrhea and decreasing absorption capacity.”

As explained on the page of the United States Food Safety and Inspection Service, “leaving food at room temperature for too long can cause bacteria grow up up to dangerous levels that can cause illness.”

“Bacteria grow faster in a temperature range between 40°F and 140°F (the equivalent, in degrees Celsius, of between 4°C and 60°C), doubling their numbers in just 20 minutes. This range of temperatures is often referred to as the ‘Danger Zone’”, reads the same text.

How long is it safe to store butter in and out of the refrigerator?

From Isabel Ratão’s perspective, similar to what happens with other foods that require refrigeration, both butter and margarine They should not be left out of the refrigerator for “more than two hours”.

Furthermore, the storage time inside the refrigerator varies and must be respected “the period of validity indicated on the label”.

Additionally, there are some signals which indicate that the butter or margarine may not be fit for consumption, even if the product is within its expiration date.

“In principle, if you have a dark yellow hue, a pungent or rancid odor and a rancid or very different flavor from normal, it should not be consumed, even if it is within its expiration date”, he concludes.