DISCOVER

Safely Safely STORING LEFTOVERS

By Juliane Morris

Sometimes leftovers taste even better enjoyed home than the restaurant or food truck if you were pleasantly distracted by the dining conversation and setting. But how quickly do you need to refrigerate the “doggie bag” box or container, and how long do leftovers last? Foodborne illness as it relates to food storage can be prevented if you follow food storage best practices.

Cool Leftovers Quickly

Refrigerate (or freeze) your perishable leftovers right away, absolutely no longer than two hours away from the cooked source when served if the temperatures are in the 70°Fs indoors or out, and no more than one hour if the air temperature is above 90°F. This includes meat, poultry, seafood and dairy dishes but also for dishes with eggs and produce.

Give Leftovers Room

Give your newly arriving leftovers a good amount of space in the fridge or freezer so that the cool air can circulate around the container. An even better food safety practice is to transfer your leftovers from the leftover packaging to an airtight container using the smallest size to contain the leftovers for the longest shelf life. If your leftovers are abundant, split them into portion sizes in separate containers to help them cool more quickly. Leftovers in the fridge should be finished or thrown out before three days have passed. Freezer leftovers should be finished or tossed before two weeks have passed.

Be Prepared for Leftovers

If you think you will have leftovers, bring some frozen ice packs and an insulated food storage bag to keep in the car to keep your “doggie bag” leftovers safe until you return home. If you don’t need the ice packs, just pop them back in the freezer for next time.

SAFETY ON THE GO

For specific food storage information at your fingertips or while you’re on the go, download the FoodKeeper app to help you optimize food freshness and quality including about your leftovers. Developed by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, Cornell University and the Food Marketing Institute, learn about the FoodKeeper app here: https://www.foodsafety.gov/keepfood-safe/foodkeeper-app

APPLIANCE TEMPERATURE TIP

Your refrigerator temperature should be at or below 40° F (4° C) and your freezer temperature should be 0° F (-18° C). Appliance thermometers are inexpensive and dependable. While mold is a sign of spoilage, food can cause illness even when food doesn't smell, look or taste spoiled, when caused by pathogenic bacteria. Keeping food properly chilled slows bacteria growth.

ACTIVE Seniors

executive publishers Hal G. Fox & Suzanne Polk Fox

managing editor Suzanne Polk Fox

copy editor Christian Dischler

contributing writers Amber Arevalos Alison Braidwood Wanjiru Ciira Patricia Gyrl Juliane Morris Nellie Palmer Chloe Rose

art

design and production Suzanne Fox Claire Thomas

The information contained in Active Seniors is intended for educational purposes only. A reader should never substitute information contained in Active Seniors for the advice of a health care professional. Jumpstart Publishing, LLC and publishers of Active Seniors, do not endorse or promote any of the products or services described in the pages of Active Seniors and the publishers do not verify the accuracy of any claims made in the editorial or advertisements contained in Active Seniors. Readers should not use the information in Active Seniors for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. Readers should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or have or suspect they have a health problem. V4

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