Dream - On the day of Eid al-Adha or Eid al-Adha, Dream friends will later receive sacrificial meat distributed by the sacrificial committee. The distribution process of the meat is usually done in the afternoon after the slaughter and cutting process is completed. In Indonesia itself, the sacrificial meat that is usually distributed is beef, goat, and buffalo. However, not all families who receive sacrificial meat will immediately process it. Some also store it in the refrigerator. So, how can sacrificial meat be preserved while stored in the refrigerator?

After the slaughter process, clean the meat well to remove blood and dirt. Cut the meat into appropriate sizes for storage. Smaller pieces are easier to store and freeze faster.

Make sure the meat is dry from water and blood. Use tissue or clean cloth to dry it. This will help reduce the risk of dangerous bacteria growth for the body.

Store the meat in an airtight container or a plastic bag that can be tightly sealed (ziplock). Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the plastic bag before closing it. Trapped air can cause freezer burn and reduce the quality of the meat.

Give labels to containers or plastic bags with the type of meat and storage date. This will make it easier for Dream friends to track how long the meat has been stored in the refrigerator.

"If Dream's friend plans to consume meat in the near future (1-2 days), store the meat on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator (the coldest part). The temperature in the refrigerator should be below 4°C (39°F)."

"For long-term storage, store the meat in the freezer at a temperature of -18\u00b0C (0\u00b0F) or lower. Then, arrange the meat neatly in the freezer to ensure good air circulation and even freezing of the meat."

When you want to use frozen meat, thaw the meat in the refrigerator or use a microwave with the defrost setting. Avoid thawing meat at room temperature as it can increase the risk of bacterial growth.

Based on research conducted by the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US, common foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, E. Coli, norovirus, and hepatitis A can be present in beef. Washing beef with regular or running water is not effective in removing these foodborne pathogens. However, it can increase the growth of bacteria and viruses.

Then, how to properly clean beef? First, it can be done by boiling the beef at a temperature of 140°F (60°C) for 4 minutes. High temperature is effective in destroying harmful microorganisms. Then, spray it with lactic acid. Hot water is able to clean the remaining meat residues and bacteria that are still present on the surface after the boiling process. Lactic acid spray is quite effective because it has antimicrobial properties and can kill and inhibit further bacterial growth.