Health News
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Health News
Store holiday leftovers properly for better flavor and food safety
Leftovers are a great way to stretch your food budget, but proper handling of them is important to make sure they maintain their taste and remain bacteria-free, says the Institute of Food Technologists.
In a news release, the institute suggests three keys for handling leftovers safely: proper refrigeration, containers and heating.
Leftovers need to be refrigerated within two hours of cooking (one hour on hot summer days or in warm climates). Modern refrigerators are built to cool hot dishes, and while it is both safe and energy efficient to cool food a bit before you refrigerate it, you don't have to completely cool it. Leftovers need to be just warm to touch, or around 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit before placing them in a refrigerator that is maintained at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
The best containers are thin-walled metal, glass or plastic and no more than 2 inches deep, but bags, foil and plastic wrap also work.
How long are leftovers safe in the refrigerator? It varies:
On the front end, how do you food has been heated to a safe temperature? The best way is to use a thermometer. Most foods, especially meats, should be heated to 165 degrees F in the center. The institute also recommends that you bring sauces, soups and gravies to a boil before serving.
It also recommends that you never reheat leftovers in crock pots, slow cookers or chafing dishes, and only reheat foods to a rare center if they were initially cooked properly.
In a news release, the institute suggests three keys for handling leftovers safely: proper refrigeration, containers and heating.
Leftovers need to be refrigerated within two hours of cooking (one hour on hot summer days or in warm climates). Modern refrigerators are built to cool hot dishes, and while it is both safe and energy efficient to cool food a bit before you refrigerate it, you don't have to completely cool it. Leftovers need to be just warm to touch, or around 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit before placing them in a refrigerator that is maintained at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
The best containers are thin-walled metal, glass or plastic and no more than 2 inches deep, but bags, foil and plastic wrap also work.
How long are leftovers safe in the refrigerator? It varies:
- Cooked meat can be stored three to four days in the fridge, while uncooked ground meats, poultry and seafood will last only a day or two.
- Raw roasts, steaks and chops (beef, veal, lamp or pork) can be refrigerated for three to five days.
- Casseroles, veggies and similar side dishes, as well as pie, will usually last three to five days.
On the front end, how do you food has been heated to a safe temperature? The best way is to use a thermometer. Most foods, especially meats, should be heated to 165 degrees F in the center. The institute also recommends that you bring sauces, soups and gravies to a boil before serving.
It also recommends that you never reheat leftovers in crock pots, slow cookers or chafing dishes, and only reheat foods to a rare center if they were initially cooked properly.
- Storm Victims Need To Be Vigilant About Avoiding Tetanus And Mold, And Protecting Food Safety
As storm and and flood cleanup continues, Kentuckians need to be vigilant about tetanus, mold and food safety, the state Department for Public Health warns. Regarding tetanus, the DPH recommends avoiding contact with flood waters, which can be a...
- Lose Power In A Storm? Keep Your Food Safe
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Power outages often accompany big storms. While Hurricane Sandy might not knock out your electricity this time, it?s good to know the basics of food safety related to your refrigerator and freezer. If you don?t already have...
- Safe Summer Grilling
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Just about every food can be grilled outdoors. Whether you have a portable charcoal mini-grill, or a monster-size gas grill, the joys of outdoor cooking are one of the great pleasures of summer. But there are a few basic food...
- Safe Outdoor Eating
Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom With the start of the holiday weekend, many of us will be firing up the grill. Is there anything better in the summertime than an outdoor cookout with friends and family? While you?re preparing and cooking your favorites, keep in...
- Smoked Chicken Salad Sandwich
Many people are starting to realize that the traditional food of our ancestors, real food, is much better for us than the chemical-drenched industrial stuff turned out by the big food industry. Food smoking is an ancient method of preserving food using...