How should prepared foods be labeled in a refrigerator?

Prepared foods should be labeled in a refrigerator with both the date and the type of food to ensure proper food safety and quality management. Including the date allows food handlers to track freshness and helps in identifying how long the food has been stored. This practice is essential in preventing the consumption of spoiled items and helps maintain safe eating habits for consumers.

Labeling with just a description of the food or only the type of food would not provide critical information regarding the duration of storage, which is vital in food safety protocols. Additionally, relying on the presence of a container without proper labeling may also lead to uncertainty about the food's freshness, potentially causing foodborne illnesses. Thus, comprehensive labeling that includes both the food type and date is the best practice for ensuring food safety in a refrigerator.