When Is It Time To Get Rid Of Leftovers? Avoid Food Poisoning

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Not all foods have the same leftover shelf life. Some foods are more at risk of bacterial growth than others. Find out how to eat leftovers safely and avoid food poisoning.

Can you get food poisoning by eating leftovers?

The short answer to this question is yes! Not only can you get food poisoning from eating leftovers but you can also get it from eating undercooked or improperly stored or cooked meats (such as deli meats, beef, pork, poultry, seafood, fish, or shellfish), eggs, raw fruits or vegetables (such as lettuce or spinach), raw sprouts, raw or unpasteurized milk, unsafe water, improperly fermented foods, canned foods that have gone bad or expired, improper handled foods (dirty or contaminated hands).

What are some signs and symptoms of food poisoning?

Food poisoning affects everyone differently. Below are some common symptoms of food poisoning:

• Feeling nauseous or having an upset stomach after eating
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea with multiple trips to the commode
• Stomach cramping
• Abdominal pain
• Sweating
• Body chills
• Fever
• Flu like symptoms to include fatigue and muscle aches

Any of the above symptoms can lead to another health concern; dehydration. So, if you believe you may have food poisoning along with any of the above symptoms please see your doctor for treatment. As a nurse I make recommendations and one of my recommendations is to review CDC guidance on Food Poisoning. And if you believe you have food poisoning from a restaurant you ate at recently be sure to make a report to your local health department.

How soon can symptoms of food poisoning occur?

This too depends on what type of bacteria has been ingested (contaminated food). Sometimes the symptoms can occur in as little as 30 minutes and even up to 8 hours after ingesting and sometimes even a few days. Some food poisoning can last several days and can even lead to death if left untreated.

In some cases eating contaminated foods can cause serious complications in pregnancy – including miscarriage. Consult with your physician about what foods to avoid while pregnant.

Types of Food Poisoning

• Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) (usually caused by improper handwashing, improper handling of foods, improper food temperatures or improper storing of foods)
• Salmonella (usually from raw eggs, chicken, vegetables and foods contaminated by feces)
• Clostridium perfringens (a common food poisoning around holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Causes are usually from raw meat and poultry, gravies and can also be from eating at buffets)
• Campylobacter (usually contracted by raw milk, untreated water and poultry)
• Escherichia coli (E. coli) (usually from undercooked beef, raw vegetables like spinach and lettuce or another example is from swallowing a mouthful of contaminated pool or lake water)
• Listeria (usually caused by improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized or raw milk or products made with raw milk)
• Botulism (usually caused by improperly home-canned foods, gone-wrong fermented foods, expired or store bought cans that have bloated)

So, when is it time to get rid of leftovers?

Not all foods have the same leftover shelf life. Some foods are more at risk of bacterial growth than others like rice.

I share more detailed content below about some foods that can potentially cause food poisoning including rice leftovers but a general rule to follow for most foods is the four rule. If you have leftovers that are not eaten within four day ditch it.

Foods not handled properly, cooked at improper temperatures or not stored properly are at a higher risk of making you sick.

The information I am sharing is for educational purposes only. It is not out to scare you but to keep you safe. So, please be aware. Getting food poisoning is not a fun situation to be in, trust me.

Discussion of leftovers is pertaining to foods brought home from a restaurant and/or home cooked meals.

Leftovers Containing Rice

Rice can easily become contaminated with a bacteria called Bacillus cereus. One cannot eliminate the spores and actually cooking rice activates them. Since rice is moist after cooking it is the perfect grounds for growing harmful bacteria.

Cooked rice should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of at least 41 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler.

Cooked rice or leftover dishes that contain cooked rice should be discarded after 24 hours. Don’t try to squeeze an extra day out of it. Just be safe and toss it.

Some dishes that may be overlooked as containing rice may include:

• meatloaf
• soups containing rice
• stuffed bell peppers
• cabbage rolls
• or even desserts made with rice

Leftovers Containing Meats (deli meats, beef, pork or poultry)

Deli Meats

Some deli meats can be contaminated even before being packaged at the factory. This would include meats like hot dogs, bacon, bologna, or any pre-sliced meats like sliced turkey or charcuterie meats.

Be sure to cook hot dogs and bacon at temperatures of 167 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 3 minutes before eating.

Although cold meats like bologna or pre-sliced meats do not require cooking but be sure to store them in the refrigerator at a temperature of at least 41 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler.

Store bought deli meats usually have expiration stamps right on the packaging. You can go by the expiration date or eat it up within 4 days after opening.

Beef, Pork or Poultry

Out of these three meats take extra special precautions with poultry.

Poultry has a high-risk of causing food poisoning if not handled or cooked properly. The most common cause of food poisoning in poultry is salmonella.

Be careful when preparing poultry or chicken. Never wash raw chicken and always make sure to wash hands thoroughly after handling raw chicken. And especially sanitize any kitchen utensils, cutting boards and counter tops that come in contact with raw chicken or chicken juices.

Safety Tip: cover cutting boards with plastic wrap before working with or cutting chicken. Also wear disposable kitchen gloves.

Cooking chicken thoroughly can kill salmonella. Make sure when cooking chicken that the internal temperature reads at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit otherwise it is not safe. This temperature will reduce risks of contracting food poisoning.

It is good practice to never leave meats or any foods for that matter to sit out on the counter for more than four hours. Be sure to place leftover beef, pork or poultry in a covered container and refrigerate promptly after cooking.

Beef, pork and/or poultry should be kept in the refrigerator as leftovers for a total of 4 days. If not eaten up within that time frame toss it.

Seafood, Fish or Shellfish

Raw shellfish can be contaminated with bacteria just from the waters in which they come from. Some contaminated shellfish can include shrimp, crabs, clams, oysters, dried fish and salted raw fish. Even cooked seafoods that have spent time at room temperatures may harbor harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses such as food poisoning. So, promptly refrigerate cooked seafood or fish at temperatures of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler and covered well.

Properly stored cooked seafood or fish fillets apply to the 4 day rule. If not eaten up within that time frame toss it.

Eggs

Eggs too can harbor salmonella just like chicken. The only difference is that bacteria can enter through the shell into the raw whites and even reach the yolk. Just by looking at a raw cracked opened egg one cannot tell that it is contaminated with salmonella.

Many recipes call for raw eggs as an ingredient. Raw eggs should be cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit prior to consuming to avoid salmonella poisoning.

Safety Tip: never eat raw eggs, raw cookie dough, salad dressing containing raw egg, mayonnaise or even lick the beaters after mixing cake batter.

Hard boiled or thoroughly cooked eggs are generally free from salmonella. Keep hard boiled eggs in the shell in the refrigerator for up to 5 days especially when stored at temperatures of at least 41 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler. Recipes like creamy egg salad or deviled eggs should be eaten up by day 3 or 4 at the latest. If not eaten up within that time frame toss it.

If you ever wonder how to tell if eggs are fresh I have an article on that too. Find out how to test eggs for freshness here.

Raw Fruits or Vegetables

A good practice for eating raw or fresh vegetables or fruit as leftovers is to make sure these food items are rinsed and or cleaned with a fruit and vegetable cleanser like this veggie wash prior to preparing the dish. And after cooking be sure to store within one-hour of cooking in a covered container in the refrigerator. Properly stored cooked veggies apply to the 4 day rule. If not eaten up within that time frame toss it.

Be Safe My Friends

To avoid food poisonings please wash hand often when handling foods, wash fruits and vegetables prior to cooking, store foods for leftovers promptly, in covered containers and at the proper temperature (preferably in the refrigerator at a temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler).

I AM EXCITED YOU ARE VIEWING JETT’S ARTICLE FOR KNOWING WHEN IT’S TIME TO GET RID OF LEFTOVERS. I DO HOPE THIS INFORMATION HELPS TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FREE OF EVER EXPERIENCING THE EFFECTS OF FOOD POISONING.

***Please feel free to share your comments with my readers about this post. Maybe you have some additional tips to share.***

Looking for Recipes? See Jett’s recipes here!