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| How long can leftovers be safely stored in the refrigerator? | to Top |
If leftovers were safe to eat when they reached refrigeration temperature then shelf life will depend on the acceptability of their quality. Cold temperatures do not make spoiled food safe to eat. A maximum of 3 hours above 50F is a good rule-of-thumb for keeping food safe. Since they have been heated, leftopvers have an additional problem of the natural competitors for pathogenic bacteria not being present. They were destroyed in cooking. If pathogens are then introduced in the food by a human (hands, sneezing, etc) or utensils, they are able to grow ithout competition for space or nutrients. This allows more rapid growth and possible rapid toxin production when storage temperature allow. Leftovers that have been held at 40F (4C) or below should be evaluated by the same criteria used for other foods.
VanGarde, Shirley J. and Margy Woodburn. 1994. Food Preservation and Safety. Principles and Practice. Iowa State Press, Ames Iowa.,, p. 112-113.
Updated: Saturday, December 29, 2007.
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