Refrigerate Promptly Below 40°F
Refrigerate foods quickly and at a proper temperature to slow the growth of bacteria and prevent foodborne illness.
Leftover foods from a meal should not stay out of refrigeration longer than two hours. In hot weather (90°F or above), this time is reduced to one hour.
Also, make sure your refrigerator is set below 40°F. This will keep perishable foods out of what's called the "danger zone" — 40°F or above. Keep a refrigerator thermometer inside your refrigerator at all times!
Important Tip:
When in doubt, throw it out!
| Leftovers |
Keeps Up To |
|
Cooked fresh vegetables |
3-4 days
|
|
Cooked pasta
|
3-5 days
|
|
Cooked rice
|
1 week
|
|
Deli counter meats
|
5 days
|
|
Meat:
Ham, cooked and sliced
Hot dogs, opened
Lunch meats, prepackaged, opened
Cooked beef, pork, poultry,fish and meat casseroles
Cooked patties and nuggets,gravy and broth
|
3-4 days
1 week
3-5 days
3-4 days
1-2 days
|
|
Seafood, cooked
|
2 days
|
|
Soups and stews
|
3-4 days
|
|
Stuffing
|
1-2 days
|
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