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May 5, 2009 10:48 pm US/Central
Good Question: How Long Do Leftovers Last?
(WCCO)
Whether it's a doggie bag from a restaurant or the uneaten part of mom's meatloaf, almost all of us keep leftovers in the fridge. But how long are leftovers safe to eat?
"Under the best circumstances, they can last in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days," said Sue Moores, a Twin Cities registered dietitian.
According to Moores, bacteria forms on all food while it sits outside in a room. A refrigerator correctly set at 40 degrees or below will slow the growth of those bacteria, but it doesn't stop it, making this not just an issue about flavor.
"No, it's really about your health and safety because that bacteria can multiple, can double within 15 minutes at room temperature," said Moores.
According to the American Dietetic Association, one-third of Americans have their refrigerators set too warm. And 36 percent of people admit eating leftover pizza from the night before, even if it hasn't been refrigerated.
"How were the leftovers treated before you put them into the fridge? That makes the biggest difference as to whether you should keep them," said Moores.
In the food safety world, there's talk of a "two-hour window." If food sits at room temperature, it can sit there for two hours before the amount of bacteria grows to potentially unsafe levels. Many people, when they take leftovers from a restaurant, will wait too long before they bring the food home.
The problem is more acute in the summer.
"Once the temperature gets above 80 degrees that time is cut in half," Moores explained, giving people just one hour before food needs to hit the fridge.
Freezing gives your food an almost endless life. At zero degrees, there are virtually no bacteria growing on the food. Because of taste concerns and freezer burn, typically three to six months is the recommended amount of time for leftovers to be frozen, said Moores.
"Are there different guidelines with different foods?" asked WCCO reporter Jason DeRusha.
"Not really," replied Moores. "It's pretty much a general rule."
And as for the smell test, checking to see if leftovers smell like they're OK?
"Well it's definitely your major sign of 'toss it out.' But you can't rely on the smell test to let you know whether it's good or bad. There's so much going on before it turns into a smell or a sight," said Moores.
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