Brits left divided being told to never keep three types of food in the fridge

Brits have been left divided over controversial advice about what should and shouldn't be stored in the fridge.

We've all heard the age-old debates about ketchup and chocolate, but while the latter is really a matter of personal preference, you might just be shocked at the latest guidance.

As warmer weather continues to take hold of the UK, Which? UK has issued some fresh advice on how to store food, and three foods you should never keep in the fridge.

According to the consumer awareness site, cucumbers, tomatoes and onions should never be stored in the fridge, but people are less than convinced.

Some dubbed it 'terrible advice' as the UK experienced temperatures of over 30°C at the weekend, while others vowed to 'continue taking my chances'.

But why must these three vegetables stay out of the fridge?

Why shouldn't cucumbers be kept in the fridge?

When it comes to cucumbers, Which? warns that 'cold conditions can cause the skin to shrivel up and the inside become soft.' Instead, they 'are best stored at room temperature'.

Many people would automatically put cucumbers in the fridge. (Getty Stock Images)

The phrase 'cool as a cucumber' has suddenly lost all its meaning.

Dr Chris Smith told the BBC: "The cells don’t like it, the metabolism of the cucumber goes off kilter, the ripening process is thwarted and it produces chemicals that that might not taste as nice and tissues that might not taste as nice."

Nevertheless, Which?'s post goes on to suggest that people can in fact cool their cucumbers in the fridge for an hour or so before popping them in a salad 'for a refreshing chill without affecting their texture'.

Why shouldn't tomatoes be kept in the fridge?

Perhaps even more controversially, the post warns that 'low temperatures can change the taste' of tomatoes because it 'inhibits the enzymes inside the fruit that help give it its flavours.'

Again, we're told tomatoes should actually be kept at room temperature, but it's important to note that 'room temperature' is generally considered to be around 20°C, and many homes in the UK will be maintaining significantly higher temperatures throughout the summer months.

Dr Emma Davies told the BBC that while keeping tomatoes in the fridge 'does extend their shelf life', it also 'dramatically reduces levels of flavour'.

Putting tomatoes in the fridge actually slows down the ripening process, so if your toms are fully ripe and you aren't ready to use them, it still could be worth taking a chance on the slight flavour change and popping them in the fridge for longevity.

Why shouldn't onions be kept in the fridge?

Putting tomatoes in the fridge slows down the ripening process. (Getty Stock Images)

Last but not least, onions should not be kept on the fridge. That's because the moisture in the fridge will turn them 'soft and mouldy,' so they should be kept somewhere cool and dry.

The National Onion Association, who we'd naturally defer to here, advise storing onions in a cool, dark, dry, well ventilated space such as pantry, basement or garage.

However, if you've taken the skin off your onions and sliced them up, they should be kept in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer.

Everyday is a school day, but while the advice appears to make sense, many Brits simply aren't buying it.

"So why is fruit and veg stored at refrigerated temperatures in supermarkets?" one person questioned, while another added: "Tomatoes out of the fridge in this weather is terrible advice."

"No, sorry, you've got it wrong, especially in this weather," a third raged. "Otherwise why bother with a fridge at all? Especially in this weather."

At the end of the day, it's all down to personal preference and no one's going to police whether you're putting your onions in the fridge. Just keep an eye out for those soggy cucumbers.