May Meat and Dairy Foods be Stored Alongside One Another in a Refrigerator or Freezer?
It is permissible to store meat and dairy products together in the same freezer. Each food should be wrapped individually, either in sealed bags or in its original packaging, to ensure that all potential problems are avoided even if the packages are positioned right next to each other and even if they touch each other. It is preferable, if possible, to designate separate shelves in the freezer to avoid mistakes, but strictly speaking, it is entirely permissible to place wrapped meat and dairy foods next to each other in the freezer.
When it comes to the refrigerator, extra care must be taken due to the presence of dairy liquids that can leak and drip onto the foods situated beneath it. Meat and dairy foods should be positioned in such a way that dairy liquid cannot leak onto meat products. Alternatively, one can carefully wrap all meat and dairy foods in the refrigerator, or line shelves used for dairy foods, so no liquid can fall onto the foods below. As long as one ensures to protect meat products in the refrigerator from leaks of milk and other dairy liquids, it is permissible to keep both kinds of food together in the refrigerator.
Summary: It is permissible to keep meat and dairy products together in a freezer or refrigerator, provided that they are individually wrapped. In a refrigerator, where dairy liquid may be present, steps must be taken to ensure that no dairy liquid drips onto meat products.
