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| How can I determine if food that shows changes is safe to eat? | to Top |
What is its temperature history? If it is a perishable food and has been between 40F (4F) and 140F (60C) for more than 3 hours, it should be discarded.
Is it moldy? Since for many molds the risk of toxicity is not known, moldy food should be trimmed (if solid) or discarded. In food stored at room temperature such as bread or nuts, the appearance of mold on any part generally indicates that more widespread molding may be occurring and all should be discarded. For fresh fruits and vegetables, small areas may be trimmed, but generally moldy products should be discarded.
Most changes in quality are not evidence of unsafe food but should be carefully considered.
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VanGarde, Shirley J. and Margy Woodburn. 1994. Food Preservation and Safety. Principles and Practice. Iowa State Press, Ames Iowa.,, p. 8Updated: Saturday, December 29, 2007.
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