Transcript Food Safety for Seniors: Storing Leftovers

Food Safety for Seniors:
Storing Leftovers
___________ County
Cooperative Extension Service
2001
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
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Why worry about
leftovers?
• Bacteria grows quickly at warm
temperatures (40oF to 140oF)
– Some increase in number
– Some produce a toxin
• May cause illness if the food is
eaten
2001
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
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The Danger Zone
• 40oF to 140oF
• Less than two
hours
– Cumulative
– Thawing at room
temperature
goes way beyond
the safe time
2001
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
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Get the refrigerator ready
Clean it out!
• Get rid of
leftover meats or
vegetables over 3
days old
• Throw out any
food you know was
out longer than 2
hours
2001
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
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Any on-site refrigeration?
• If staying at the
site, ask to store
leftovers in the
refrigerator
2001
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
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No refrigerator available?
• Go home right
after eating
OR
• Don’t take the
food home
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Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
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How to store leftovers
• Use tight sealing container made
for home food storage
– Glass
– Transparent plastic
• Date the container
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Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
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Is it still safe?
• Don’t taste to decide
• Use within 3 days or throw it out
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Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
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Summary
• Clean out your refrigerator
• Keep refrigerated if not going
straight home
• Go straight home with the food
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Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
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Summary
• Store in tight sealing, transparent
containers
• Date the containers
• Use leftovers within 3 days or
throw them away
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Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
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Stay healthy by storing
leftover food safely.
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Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
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