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How Long Can You Leave Food Outside The Fridge

Oota Box

  • Posted 4 years ago
  • Blog

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Food needs extra care when kept at room temperature. While some food can be left on the counter indefinitely, a lot of them need to be stored inside a fridge.

Here are a few guidelines on how long certain types of food last outside the fridge.

1. Meat

You should be very careful when removing meat from the freezer. Meat which has sat around too long in the so-called”danger zone” of 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, enables bacteria to multiply rapidly. With regards to meat, salmonella and E. coli are a couple of the key ones to worry about. Cooked meat should not be left out for more than 2 hours. It’s advised to throw it out in case you haven’t eaten it by then.

2. Eggs

Eggs are left outside the fridge in most parts of the world. In North America, we’re advised to keep them in the fridge to avoid salmonella. Leaving a cold egg outside the fridge can create bacteria making the egg sweat.

3. Diary Products

Dairy foods comprise items like milk, cream, yogurt, and cheese.

Milk and yogurt should not be left outside the fridge for more than two and a half hours. Soft cheeses should never be left out of the fridge for more than two hours and are advised to be kept on ice trays. Hard cheeses can be left outside the refrigerator for quite a long time. Four hours is the recommended time.

4. Mayonnaise and Foods Containing Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is another food that needs to be taken care of. Fine to leave out as long as required. Mayonnaise should never be left out of the fridge for longer than two hours. It is popular in foods such as potato salad that remain outdoors from the heat at barbecues and picnics for lengthy periods of time, it’s dangerous when out for long.

5. Rice

Rice is an item that can be left out for a long time. However, Rice comprises bacillus cereus spores which aren’t killed with cooking. When left at room temperature to? trendy for more than two hours, the bacteria spores then grow, making a toxin that may make you ill. Rice should be placed in the fridge when it is cooling and afterwards.

Different types of food need to be stored safely when not being consumed. Each food has its own timeline and properties. Follow these guidelines to store your food safely and you will reap the benefits.

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