We look in our fridge multiple times a day but do you know what temperature it should actually be at?

You might have asked this question whilst fetching milk for your morning cuppa or when raiding the shelves for a midnight snack.

Either way, having your fridge at the right temperature is crucial for not only keeping your food fresher for longer but also to fend off bad fridge smells and bacteria.

To help you make the most out of your fridge (and the food inside it), the Food Standards Agency has answered that burning ( and in this case, freezing) question.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Household fridges should be set at 5 degrees Celsius or below, according to the Food Standards Agency. ( Getty Images)Household fridges should be set at 5 degrees Celsius or below, according to the Food Standards Agency. ( Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)

What number should a fridge be on in the UK?

Household fridges should be set at 5 degrees Celsius or below, according to the Food Standards Agency.

The FSA explains that "this is because harmful bacteria grow best in what is known as the ‘danger zone’ between 8 degrees and 63 degrees".


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The agency also recommends using a fridge thermometer to check that your fridge is cold enough since fridge dials don't always display the right temperature.

It also recommends that you don't overfill your fridge and that you leave enough space to let air circulate.

You should take out items that don't need to be chilled to make room for instance unopened soft drinks or bread.

This will make room for the items that do need to be chilled for safety reasons, such as raw, ready-to-eat and cooked food, according to the Food Standards Agency.