WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Many young adults ages 18 to 31 think it's OK to defrost frozen food on the counter -- a practice that could lead to sickness, says a U.S. survey.
Thirty-five percent say how leftovers should be kept in the refrigerator is the single biggest kitchen mystery, according to a survey of 539 young Americans conducted by market research firm StrategyOn for the American Plastics Council.
Only 16 percent knew not to store leftover food in the refrigerator uncovered, but 78 percent knew that they should store food in airtight plastic containers.
When all else fails, including reading the product's label, the most trusted source for leftover storage and kitchen hygiene was mom, according to the survey.
Forty-six percent of the younger end of the spectrum, 18- to 24-year-olds, were more likely to ask their moms for help compared to 28 percent of those ages 25-34.
