Labor Day may be the formal end of summer, but there is still a lot of food left over from the celebrations. If you have extra salads or burgers from the grill, you need to store them properly to avoid getting food poisoning.
By following the USDA’s rules, you can enjoy the holidays without worrying about your health. Here is an in-depth guide on how to safely handle your leftovers from Labor Day.
Food Safety Depends On The Two-Hour Rule
The “two-hour rule” is one of the most important rules for keeping food safe. Foods that go bad quickly should be put in the fridge within two hours of being served, according to the USDA. This time range is very important because if food is left out for too long, bad germs can start to grow.
This window is only one hour if you’re having a party outside or it’s over 90°F outside. These times say that food should be thrown away if it has been out for longer than these amounts of time.
How To Store Your Leftovers Right
Different ways of storing leftovers can greatly impact the safety of the food. It’s smart to use small, flat containers. With these containers, food cools down quickly and evenly, which makes it less likely that germs will grow.
To keep the food safe and fresh, make sure the packages are airtight and properly sealed. You can also keep track of how long things have been in the fridge by writing the date on the containers.
For How Long Can You Keep Leftovers?
Having extras at the right time is very important. Most leftovers are safe to keep in the fridge for up to four days if they are stored properly. You can freeze everything if you know you won’t be able to eat it all in this time.
Foods can last a lot longer if they are frozen, but make sure to freeze them while they are still fresh to keep the quality. Using freezer-safe bags or containers when you freeze food will keep its taste and texture and stop it from freezer burn.
Making Sure It’s Safe To Reheat Leftovers
It’s not enough to just warm up leftovers; they need to be made safe to eat too. The USDA says that all leftovers should be heated through to 165°F.
It’s hot enough here to kill any germs that might have grown. The best way to tell if your food has hit this safe temperature is to use a food thermometer.
While warming food in the microwave, make sure it heats up evenly by covering it and stirring or turning it. This stops cold spots from forming where germs can live.
It is important to bring stews, soups, and gravies to a rolling boil before reheating them. Also, you shouldn’t reheat food in a slow cooker because the food might not get hot enough to kill germs.
Bear an Eye Out For Signs Of Spoilage
Food can go bad even if you store and reheat it the right way. Always keep an eye out for flavors that no longer taste good. These can be bad smells, strange tastes, or mold that you can see.
While food might still be edible, it’s better to be safe and throw it away. Don’t forget that eating bad food can make you very sick.
Some More Tips On How To Handle Food Safely
If you have specific questions or worries about food safety, the USDA can help. To get help, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline. You could also go to ask.usda.gov and talk to food safety experts live.
Conclusion: A Safe Way To Enjoy Your Leftovers
By following these tips, you can eat your Labor Day leftovers without worrying about getting sick. Holiday meals will last longer if you store them properly, eat them at the right time, reheat them carefully, and watch out for signs that they are going bad.
Keep in mind that these easy steps can help keep your food safe and your family healthy. Without taking any chances, enjoy your food and the good times you had on Labor Day.
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