How Long Are Your Thanksgiving Leftovers Safe to Eat?

MARYLAND — Between the holiday parties, family dinners and New Year's parties, there's a lot of food in cartons and containers, wrapped in plastic and foil. But what is safe to keep and for how long? And what can you do with it?

The folks at Patient First Medical Centers have guidelines on how long your Thanksgiving feast can sit out, how to store it for leftovers, and how long foods can safely keep in the refrigerator and freezer.

"Remember, no matter how long leftovers have been in your refrigerator or freezer, if in doubt – throw it out," says the health care agency in a news release.

Proper Leftover Food Storage

Follow these simple rules so that you don’t spoil Thanksgiving – The Sequel:

· Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of serving.

· Divide large amounts of hot food into smaller portions so they cool quickly.

· Refrigerate leftovers in airtight packaging or containers.

· Freeze leftovers that will not be eaten within four days.

· Dispose of foods that sit at room temperature longer than two hours.

Leftover Shelf Life

How long will leftovers last when stored properly? The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests these guidelines for refrigerated leftovers:

· Cooked turkey should be eaten within three to four days.

· Stuffing and gravy will last up to two days.

· Casseroles and cooked vegetables will be good up to three or four days.

· Fruit and cream pies should be eaten within two to three days.

· Frozen leftovers last longer. Meat lasts up to three months in a freezer.

Reduce the Risk

Proper storage also helps reduce the risk of foodborne illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 1 in 6 people gets sick by consuming contaminated food and beverages. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. These four steps can help prevent foodborne illness:

1. Cook to the right temperature. Use a food thermometer to be sure food is heated to a temperature that kills harmful bacteria.

2. Wash your hands and cooking surfaces often.

3. Do not cross-contaminate. Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood or eggs separate from other foods in the fridge. Dripping juices can spread bacteria.

4. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers promptly.

For your care and convenience, all Patient First Neighborhood Medical Centers are open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the year, including Thanksgiving.

According to FoodSafety.gov, a website with information provided by government agencies, pay heed to these steps for safe leftover storage:

• Put leftovers in shallow containers (no more than two inches deep) to cool quickly to prevent any bacteria from growing in the warm center of a dish.
• Refrigerate leftovers within two hours because it will slow the growth of bacteria. They say the recommended temperature for your fridge is 40 °F or below.
• With restaurant leftovers, consider the travel time home and how long the food has been out.
• When re-heating food in the microwave, FoodSafety.gov advises thoroughly mixing of food while heating to make sure all parts reach a temperature of 165 °F before being eaten.

For more advice on holiday food safety, you can go to the Food and Drug Administration or Centers for Disease Control.

Image via Shutterstock