Can only meat be stored in a meat refrigerator?

The term "meat refrigerator" can refer to open-display refrigerators, which can store vegetables and other items, and closed refrigerators, which are designed to hold meat only. People storing other types of food in these refrigerators must adhere to food safety guidelines.

Meat is almost always cooked before it is consumed, so the small amount of bacteria present in the liquid in the meat is generally killed before consumption. Vegetables, cheeses and other types of food, however, are often consumed cool, and bacteria can proliferate, especially if the food is left out. It is important to know local safety guidelines before displaying or storing other foods near meat.