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Make sure your leftovers don't turn into a nest of bacteria
Quick advice on how to store your food and for how long
Experts say in order to reduce the risk of food poisoning you should keep food in your fridge for no more than four days. If you know that you will not be able to consume your food within this period, put it in the freezer.
In order to determine if a family member is suffering from food poisoning, watch out for symptoms including stomach aches, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Food poisoning occurs when harmful bacteria are found in food. You may be able to detect these bacteria in your food by observing a change in your food's flavor, smell or appearance. For this reason, you should throw food out whenever you are unsure of the food's freshness.
Many cases of food poisoning can be prevented by the proper storage of food.
Place foods such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy products and eggs -- which quickly spoil -- in the fridge.
Do not leave leftover food at room temperature for longer than two hours, or one hour in summer.
Consume uncooked foods such as cold salads and sandwiches as soon as possible or refrigerate them straight away.
Do not leave your food out in the open for long periods of time as bacteria spread quickly in temperatures between 4 and 60 degrees Celsius.
Food should not be reheated. If it is absolutely essential, make sure it is done thoroughly at very high temperatures.
Frozen foods should be cooked after they thaw and should not be refrozen.
Soups, sauces and meat broths should be brought to a boil. If you are using an oven to reheat these products, make sure your oven is set to at least 100 degrees Celsius to ensure they heat up quickly.
The use of low oven heat or heated pots is not suggested when warming up leftovers. The most reliable method to reheat food that has already been cooked is by using a microwave oven. You may use an oven bag when heating your food to maintain moistness.
Allow for your reheated food to cool after heating in a microwave. Use a clean food thermometer to ensure that the temperature of your food has dropped to 74 degrees Celsius after heating your food in the microwave.
How long can I store canned foods before they go bad?
Canned foods that have been prepared for consumption, if stored in ideal conditions, have a long shelf life. Experts indicate that this period varies according to the type of food. Acidic foods such as tomatoes, fruit and fruit juices have a storage life of 18 months while food with low levels of acid such as vegetables and meat can be stored for two to five years. Look at the can carefully before you buy it. Do not purchase cans that are dented, leaking or whose lids are protruding.
Store canned goods in a cool, dry place in your home. Do not keep them in damp places, on stove tops or in cupboards under the sink. Make sure you check the expiration date of the canned food you have purchased before opening the can. Make sure you wipe the top of the can before you open it. If, when you open the can, water or foam gushes out or there is a foul smell, do not consume it and throw away the entire can.
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