8. What should be refrigerated and what can be left at room temperature? Fruit and vegetables, in particular fresh cuts, should be kept in the refrigerator at less than 5°C to maintain optimum freshness and ensure food safety. Some vegetables and fruit do not require refrigeration, such as: · Bananas, garlic, onions, potatoes, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes. The following vegetables and fruit can be kept at room temperature until ripe, and then should be refrigerated: · Apricots, avocados, kiwifruit, mangoes, melons, nectarines, papaya, peaches, pears, plums and tomatoes.