Important to Know: How Long Can You Leave Cooked Food Out of the Refrigerator

15.05.2023 16:59
Updated: 13.05.2024 21:25

It is important to store cooked food in the refrigerator for safety reasons. However, sometimes you can forget or there is no place in the refrigerator. In the article, we will figure out how long you can leave food out of the refrigerator.

Under what conditions do products spoil quickly

Ready-made food and products spoil faster at temperatures from 40 to 140 degrees.

In warm conditions, harmful bacteria multiply faster, leading to spoilage.

Quickly perishable products include meat, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, dairy products.

As a rule, cooked food does not spoil within the first 2 hours outside the refrigerator.

meat
Photo:Pixabay

After two hours, the food must be eaten, cooked or thrown away.

If it is hot outside, the shelf life of food is halved. That is, the product will be stored outside the refrigerator for 1 hour.

How to properly store food and prepared food in the refrigerator

Before sending in the refrigerator, the food must cool completely so as not to spoil the operation of the equipment.

Divide the refrigerator into certain zones: for meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, drinks.

Do not wash fruits and vegetables before storing, as they will last longer if they are dirty.

Store food and cooked food in zippered storage bags or airtight containers.

By following the rules of food storage, you will keep the safety of yourself and your loved ones.

Author: Diana Dashkevich Editor internet resource

Content
  1. Under what conditions do products spoil quickly
  2. How to properly store food and prepared food in the refrigerator