Good Lifestyle

It is commonly known thatfood waste is a serious problem in the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture of the United States estimates that between 30 and 40% of the nation's food supply is only food waste. Many of these food waste is attributable to food retailers and grocers who throw production products, dairy products or meat that have not seen the daylight before their expiry date.

But that does not mean that food waste is not as impacts at the level of consumption either. How many times have you not finished your meal in a restaurant, designed to eat it the next day and to tighten it in your refrigerator a week later, or threw yourLeftovers your most recentmeal meal Because you were not sure how long you had until the food is bad?

Well, there is a point where your remains are no longer considered healthy to eat and they must be thrown to avoid any disease. Meredith Cariout, specialist in technical information of the USDA food security and inspection service, has let it understand when it's time to throw away remains so as not to run the risk of flirting with a upset stomach.

How long have the remains good?

"All cooked foods and remains can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days after cooking. After that, they can start spoiling," says Cout.

If you have jumped vegetables for ajumped up Whereroast pork shoulderThey will remain safe to eat about half a week. It is also important that you know how to store them. The key to storing food cooked in the refrigerator is quite simple: you want to make sure to place these foods in hermetic containers or make sure they are wrapped and sealed in storage bags removed. This will help cooked food to maintain moisture and prevent harmful bacteria from converting.

The USDA also advises you to refrigerate or freeze wrapped remnants immediately after they have been levied initially or heated. All foods left at room temperature for more than two hours after cooking should be thrown away.

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Which pathogen of food origin is most often found on the remains that have been too long in the refrigerator?

"There are two families completely different from bacteria: the pathogenic bacteria, the type that causes a disease of food origin and bacteria of deterioration, the type of bacteria that cause food to be damaged and to develop odors, tastes and tastes and Unpleasant textures, "said Carothers.

The USDA characterizes the foods that are sitting in an environment ranging from 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit as a zone. "Pathogenic bacteria can develop rapidly in the danger zone ... but they usually do not affect the taste, smell or appearance of food. In other words, we can not say that A pathogen is present, "she explains.

Deterified bacteria, on the other hand, can actually develop at lower temperatures, such as in the refrigerator.

"Finally, they cause food to develop tastes and bad smells," says Carothers. "Most people would not choose to eat spoiled foods, but if they did it, they probably would not fall sick. It's up to a question of quality in relation to security. As long as food do not show signs. Deterioration, they would always be ok consuming. "

How can you tell if the remains are still cautious to eat?

"The first stage of the security of the remains is the food safely," advises carothers. "Use a food thermometer to make sure the food is cooked at a safe and minimal internal temperature."

For example, poultry must reach ainternal temperature at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit, while a pork chop, a slab ofsteakor a net ofSalmonOnly reach a minimum of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideally, the remains of any type that are heated should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that any trace of bacteria is killed. But, what is the probability of you to dive aFood thermometer in your remainscheese macaronis After allowing heating a minute in the microwave? Chances are probably thinking, but it's never a bad time to start using one!

So, the next time you prepare your meal, make sure to eat your food within three or four days of making it. If you plan further in the week and you make a jackpot of something, be smart andFreeze some of your remains Instead of keeping them safe to eat until you need them!