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This sponge is meant to be put into refridgerator's vegetables compartment at the bottom and said to keep vegetables fresh:

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Sorry, the package is in hebrew, but is this true? How can it keep vegetables fresh?

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Boris_yo
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    Do the instructions say that you have to keep it wet? Because it may be trying to act as a primitive humidifier. – rumtscho Jan 11 '12 at 18:05
  • Wet sponge = lots of bacteria = bad vegetables? – Jay Jan 11 '12 at 18:09
  • @Jay: Well, of course, it'll need to be a *clean* sponge, not made from cellulose or natural sponge. But wet plastic won't breed bacteria, as there's nothing for the bacteria to eat. (Of course, keeping it clean when its in the vegetable drawer, is an interesting exercise) – derobert Jan 11 '12 at 20:50
  • @derobert: The sponge would probably be sitting in the vegetable compartment which will have residual vegetable elements on its surface. The bottom of the wet sponge would be bacteria heaven. Most people only clean their refrigerator once a year(IF that). – Jay Jan 11 '12 at 21:09
  • @Jay: I'd be much more worried about the top of it, which would often come in direct contact with vegetables. The residual vegetable material stuck on the plastic (at least if it still *looks* clean) isn't going to provide much food. – derobert Jan 11 '12 at 21:16
  • Translated into English: the top says "Platform for vegetables and fruit". Below says "For maintaining the freshness of fruit and vegetables in a refrigerator drawer, size 1 X 30 X 47 mm". There's no mention of the word "sponge", nor what the "platform" is made of. Maybe there's some information on the other side. – No'am Newman Jan 12 '12 at 05:07

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I have seen two sorts: a polymer felt-type pad and a natural clay version sandwiched between synthetic fabric. Both are meant to regulate humidity. Soak up excess moisture and expire it back as needed.

Both claim to be anti-microbial in design. The clay, I suspect, is near in structure to montmorillonite which is micro-crystalline; actually bursts bacteria! The synthetic would be engineered to discourage growth of mold such as some sport socks do.

Neither need to touch veggies directly to function. Potatoes, I would place directly as I peel them anyway. Bamboo washcloth can be dampened and used as a cover over delicate greens similarly -bamboo is naturally anti-microbial.

Pat Sommer
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Without a translation of the Hebrew text, I cannot be sure what this particular product is intended to do -- but, as certain vegetables will last longer in the fridge if they are kept in a low-humidity environment, I would expect that a dry sponge would be used to absorb excess moisture to keep it away from the vegetables. How effective it is, well, I can't find any scientific articles one way or another.

Assuming typical sponges were good at dehumidifying, however, I would be worried about it becoming a bacterial reservoir touching the food. In response to some of the comments, bacteria does not need much food to survive, just water. Legionella sp., for example, is a bacteria that does very well in air conditioning units and public fountains, causing repeated outbreaks of legionellosis until the source of the contaminating bacteria is remediated. Vibrio cholera is another that can survive well in water, and can be transmitted purely through exposure to contaminated water, even if the water does not contain any significant concentrations of "food".

And, of course, there's the simple "yuck" factor of an old, soggy, and eventually mildewed sponge. Yet one more reason to eat your veggies while they are fresh.

Bruce Goldstein
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  • Given that the packaging is Hebrew, and most of Israel is very low humidity indeed, I expect that you're correct. – FuzzyChef Jan 12 '12 at 06:10