What is the correct order for storing items in a cooler, from top to bottom?

The correct order for storing items in a cooler, from top to bottom, prioritizes food safety by preventing cross-contamination and ensuring that the more vulnerable foods are at higher risk of contamination from the juices of raw meat. In this case, starting with ready-to-eat food at the top is essential because these items are already prepared for consumption and should be kept separate from raw foods to avoid any contamination.

Next, placing seafood below the ready-to-eat food is appropriate because while seafood can be a source of bacteria, it is generally less risky than ground meat and should not have a chance to contaminate ready-to-eat items. Following seafood, whole cuts of meat are stored, which pose a lower risk than ground meat but are still raw and need to be handled carefully. Finally, ground meat is placed at the bottom because it has a higher risk of containing harmful pathogens and can drip onto the foods stored above it if not properly contained. This hierarchy effectively reduces the risk of cross-contamination and is an essential principle for safe food handling and storage in professional kitchens.