Food Storage Guide: How Long To Keep Fresh And Safe

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Video: Food Storage Guide: How Long To Keep Fresh And Safe

Video: Food Storage Guide: How Long To Keep Fresh And Safe
Video: Storing Food Safely 2024, November
Food Storage Guide: How Long To Keep Fresh And Safe
Food Storage Guide: How Long To Keep Fresh And Safe
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Although most people use their nose as a sniffing test to determine if their food is still good, this method can be misleading and dangerous.

Many organisms that cause stomach diseases do not create any odor or visual evidence of their presence.

Use these brief instructions to determine how long the food should be stored for maximum freshness and safety.

Uneaten cooked food

Residues may be most susceptible to pathogens, as they often spend extended periods of time in the temperature danger zone while cooling. Although bacteria are usually killed during the cooking process, they quickly reappear from the environment after cooking. The leftovers should be placed in the refrigerator as soon as possible after cooking. After cooling, the residue should be stored for only 3 to 4 days. If frozen immediately, the residue can be stored for 3 to 4 months.

Shelf life of fresh raw meat

Food storage guide: How long to keep fresh and safe
Food storage guide: How long to keep fresh and safe

Fresh and unprocessed meat usually contains a sufficient amount of bacteria and should only be stored briefly in the refrigerator before cooking. Fresh poultry and minced meat should be stored in the refrigerator for only 1 to 2 days. Hard cuts of beef, pork or lamb can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days before cooking.

Shelf life of eggs

Food storage guide: How long to keep fresh and safe
Food storage guide: How long to keep fresh and safe

Eggs should always be stored in the refrigerator. Storing eggs in the main compartment of the refrigerator instead of in the storage compartments on the inside of the door will help ensure that they remain with the appropriate storage temperature. When stored properly, eggs can last 3 to 5 weeks. If your eggs acquire an unwanted or sulfur odor, discard them immediately.

Shelf life of canned foods

In terms of storage time, canned foods can be divided into two categories: high acid and low acid. Canned foods high in acids, such as tomatoes and pineapple, have a shorter shelf life of about a year and a half. Canned foods with low acid content like most vegetables and meats have a longer expiry date for about 5 years. If at any time you find a can that is concave, damaged or swollen, discard it immediately. Damaged boxes can have microscopic cracks that can allow bacteria to enter.

Shelf life of frozen foods

Food storage
Food storage

Packaged frozen foods that have remained unopened must remain valid for up to 3 months. Although freezing does not kill bacteria, it significantly slows their growth. The shelf life of frozen foods it is usually a guide to the best quality, not spoilage. Prolonged freezing can dry out food, cause ice crystals and other common freezing characteristics. Open packaging can expose food to bacteria, air and odors. Once opened, frozen foods should only be stored in the freezer for 1 to 2 months.

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