THE SURPRISING ITEM CAN MAKE YOU
SERIOUSLY ILL IF YOU CONSUME IT.
Leftovers can be a lifesaver when it comes to quick and easy meals. Whether you're reheating Sunday's soup or tossing last night's pizza slices in the oven, there's always the chance that something is wrong with your food. So, before you dig in, be aware that some leftovers may put your health at risk, according to doctors. Read on to see which foods in your fridge you should toss right away.
It would help if you never ate leftovers that have been left out
for two hours or more.
It's easy to forget that extra food is still sitting on the
stovetop after preparing and eating a large meal. Maybe you forgot about the
half-eaten spaghetti you brought home from your dinner date last night and left
it on the counter. Whatever the case, experts warn that anything that's sat
outside the fridge for a while isn't safe to consume anymore.
"Cooling leftovers to refrigerator or freezer temperatures
quickly, within two hours, is considered safe," Katherine Zeratsky, a
registered dietician nutritionist at the Mayo Clinic, told USA Today. "You
want to get that food down to refrigerator temperatures as rapidly as
possible," she said, noting that shallow containers allow food to be
spread out and chilled more quickly.
You should throw away any prepared food that wasn't refrigerated
fast enough.
Experts warn that the best way to handle leftovers that have been
left out for too long is to throw them out, as difficult as it may be to have
to put out that perfect pasta. Bacteria will "grow in food that's been
left out too long, or can generate a toxin in the food," according to
Frank Esper, MD, a doctor from Cleveland Clinic Children's center for pediatric
infectious diseases. This includes non-meat items like pasta, rice, and beans.
This means that any dishes that have been out for two hours or
more should be thrown away, according to the Department Of Agriculture (USDA).
And be wary of your summer barbecue party's buffet: the agency also warns that
food that's been sitting out in warmer temperatures above 90 degrees should be
thrown out after an hour.
Food needs to be reheated to 165 degrees to ensure safe to eat.
It's about more than just the comfort of a hot meal when you heat
your food to the correct temperature for eating. It's also essential for
getting rid of any microorganisms that can make you sick.
"It's recommended that you reheat leftovers to a hot enough
temperature, which is 165 degrees," Zeratsky told USA Today. To be sure
you're hitting that temperature, it's recommended that you use a food
thermometer—especially if you're microwaving. The USDA also recommends covering
your leftovers while they warm up to retain moisture and ensure sure your food
has been heated all the way through.
Get rid of any leftovers that are more than three or four days
old.
Even if you manage to get your food into the fridge before too
long, you're still dealing with a limited amount of time to enjoy your
leftovers safely. According to the USDA, refrigerated food is only suitable for
three to four days and should be thrown out after that.
Your freezer can be the best option if you want to make the most of extensive dinner prep. According to the CDC, frozen food has a life span of three to four months, but it should still be thrown out after that. "While frozen leftovers are safe indefinitely," the agency notes on its website, "they can lose moisture and flavor when stored in the freezer for longer periods of time."