HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Many people will have leftovers after feasting during the holidays. But, how long do leftovers last? The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has food safety tips:
For safely storing your leftover food, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says to keep these tips in mind:
- Store leftover food in shallow containers no more than 2 inches deep.
- Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within two hours.
- Set the fridge temperature between 33 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and your freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
- Remove cooked turkey from the bone, and store it separate from stuffing and gravy.
- Make sure you store any meat, eggs, veggies and milk within two hours.
- Throw away food left out at room temperature for longer than two hours.
- Discard any food you’re unsure of being safe. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Reheat leftovers to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
The USDA says the four days after cooking is the last day to safely eat leftovers.
After two hours, perishable food enters the “Danger Zone”, where bacteria can multiply quickly and cause food to become unsafe. The CDC also recommends refrigerating food exposed to temperatures above 90°F within 1 hour. “It is ok to put hot foods directly in the refrigerator,” CDC advises…