One of the best parts about the holidays is the meals we share with friends and loved ones. Leftovers from these feasts can be delicious but can also pose health risks if not stored and reheated properly. Plus, mishandling hot foods can lead to spills and burns.
Follow our tips below to ensure your leftovers taste great and are safe to eat on the days after the feast.
Prevent Food Poisoning
Each year, about 128,000 people are hospitalized due to foodborne illnesses, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Some people are at a higher risk for food poisoning, including:
- Pregnant women
- Babies and children under the age of 5
- Adults aged 65 and older
- People with weakened immune systems
Take extra care when preparing or reheating food for people in these high-risk groups.
How to Properly Store Leftovers
Many food poisoning incidents can be prevented with simple food safety precautions. Follow these tips to get the most out of your leftovers.
Keep Food Out of the “Danger Zone”
It’s crucial to refrigerate or freeze leftover food within two hours of cooking it–don’t let food sit on the counter. Letting food sit at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F is considered the “danger zone” because bacteria multiply rapidly in this range. Go ahead and put leftovers straight into the fridge or freezer–no need to let them cool first.
Plus, be sure your refrigerator is set to 40°F or colder.
Extra tip: If you’ve cooked a whole turkey, carve it and store the cut pieces or wings in the fridge. Because it’s so large and has lots of space for moisture and bacteria to grow, it’s not safe to put the whole bird in the fridge, even if you have the space.
Know How Long to Refrigerate or Freeze
Cooked food can be safely refrigerated for up to four days. Cooked meat or poultry can be safely frozen for 2-6 months. If you’re not sure how long it’s been in the fridge, toss it. A good rule of thumb is: When in doubt, toss it out.
Choose the Right Container
Leftovers should be stored in airtight containers. Label the containers with the date you put them in the fridge or freezer so you can keep track of how long they’ve been in there.
Prevent Cross-Contamination
Cross-contamination happens when germs from one surface are transferred to another. Prevent cross-contamination in your food by separating raw foods (meat, poultry, eggs) from food that won’t be cooked. Use separate utensils and cutting boards for raw foods and wash your hands frequently with hot, soapy water.
Reheat Food Properly
The key to food safety is to reheat food to temperatures that will kill bacteria.
- Wash your hands before and after handling leftovers.
- Reheat liquids, like sauces, soups and gravies to a rolling boil.
- Foods warmed in a microwave should be rotated and stirred to ensure even heating.
- Cover foods in the microwave, but allow the space to vent. The hot steam will kill bacteria and ensure the food is evenly reheated.
- Use a thermometer to measure foods’ internal temperature–it’s safe once it reaches or exceeds 165°F.
- Throw out uneaten food after it’s been reheated once.
Prevent Burns from Hot Food
Only adults should handle reheated foods. Prevent burning yourself or children with these tips:
- Hold hot containers with two hands and wear mitts/gloves to avoid burns from splashing/spills.
- Don’t place within reach of small children or near the edge of a table to avoid children pulling onto themselves. In homes with children learning to walk, be mindful of hanging tablecloths.
- Check microwave height before allowing children to help with food preparation. Older children and pre-teens should be able to easily reach the microwave without reaching up too high or into the microwave to prevent burns due to hot foods or hot liquids spilling out of the container.
- If children are too young to follow written directions, they are too young to use a microwave oven without supervision.
- Stir food well or let it stand for two minutes before tasting it so the heat can distribute evenly. (Let food cool and test for hotness before serving or feeding to small children.)
- Teach older children to touch food to the tongue or lips to test for hotness before eating.
You can find more burn prevention tips on our Injury Prevention website. If a burn does happen, you can learn safe at-home care tips from our blog on treating minor burns.
Injury Prevention at University Health
We want you and your family to have a safe and healthy holiday season. Get more injury prevention tips on our website.
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