Have you ever found something in your refrigerator that still looked good, but you wondered “Can I still eat this?” It isn’t as hard to tell if food is still good as you might think! Follow these simple guidelines, and you’ll cut back on how much food – and money! – you waste.
Can I Still Eat This?
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How many times a week do you go to the grocery store? How often are you replacing food that you threw out? Do you know if that food was actually bad? Did it need to be thrown away, or did you just waste money? Here are some common questions about when food is still good to eat – and the answers!
Can I Eat Soft or Brown Fruits & Vegetables?
Yes!
Fruits and vegetables that are soft aren’t “bad” – they are just over-ripe! You can still eat these fruits, they are probably even sweeter than before they got over-ripe. As some fruits and vegetables are exposed to air (think the outside of a banana peel or cut apples and avocados) they turn brown. This doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with the food, just that some of the proteins changed color. (This short video has a great explanation of how and why that happens.)
You can eat soft or brown fruits and vegetables. They aren’t bad, they just might taste a little different. To keep your fruits and vegetables fresh as long as possible, be sure you are storing them the right way.
Can I Eat Food That Has Been Out All Day?
No.
Unless it’s supposed to be stored at room temperature, of course.
If the food should be served hot or served cold, and it’s been sitting out all day long at a party or on a buffet, it’s time to toss it. The food safety rule of thumb is 2 hours at room temperature for perishable foods (food that needs to be kept in the refrigerator). If your cold foods are kept below 40 degrees F in a cooler (or using another method) and if your hot foods are kept above 140 degrees F in a slow cooker (or any other way), you’re fine. Once the food’s temperature creeps between 40-140 degrees F, the 2-hour timer starts. That’s considered the temperature “danger zone” – it’s the temperature range where bacteria can grow, spoil the food, and even cause food poisoning.
Can I Eat Moldy Food?
Maybe…
Some foods – like bleu cheese – are made with molds on purpose. Those are perfectly safe to eat.
But what about the box of berries you forgot in the back of your refrigerator, or the loaf of bread on your counter, or the leftovers from a few weeks ago? Those need to be thrown away. If the mold is not supposed to be there, you should not eat it. Throw the food away.
There are a few exceptions to this rule – visit this post to find out more and download a free printable cheat sheet to keep in your kitchen.
Can I Eat Food That is Past the Expiration Date?
Probably.
An expiration date doesn’t usually mean that the food is “expired.” There is nothing magical about the stroke of midnight that makes food go bad today when it was fine yesterday. The dates stamped on your food are important guidelines, but they are just guidelines for you at home.
Pay attention to the type of date on your food. Some dates are sell-by dates – if it hasn’t sold by that date, the grocer must take it off the shelves and can’t sell it. Some dates are best-by dates – that means the food will taste best if eaten before that date, but not that it will go bad the next day. This post has more information about dates on food labels and what they mean.
Can I Eat Food That Has a Funny Smell or Taste?
No.
Even if you can’t see anything wrong with the food, if it smells or tastes bad, it’s time to throw it away. Bacteria can grow in or on every kind of food we eat. As the bacteria grow, they make a lot of waste products. Those waste products can have a sour taste and a foul smell. Most of these bacteria won’t make you sick, but some of them sure can! It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so toss out anything that looks, smells, or tastes bad.
Can I Eat These Leftovers?
Yes… Probably.
The general food safety guidelines are that any leftovers should be eaten within 3 days. But let’s get real… we’ve all kept leftovers well past that time! Especially if you do any meal prep on the weekends – that’s a great way to make your weekdays go more smoothly, as long as you don’t get food poisoning in the process! Just like for any other food, follow the guidelines above – if you see any mold or if it smells or tastes bad, throw it away.
Follow these tips to keep your leftovers as safe as possible.
- My official recommendation is to use, freeze, or throw away any leftovers after 3 days. In the meantime…
- Do not leave any food out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if the temperature is 90 degrees F or higher).
- Store leftovers in air-tight containers or tightly wrapped in plastic bags, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator, ideally between 34-38 degrees F.
- If you travel with leftovers (to work, school, etc), store them with an ice pack or in a refrigerator until you are ready to eat.
- Heat leftovers to a minimum of 165 degrees F, measured with a food thermometer. (This post has simple tips for reheating leftovers.)
Something that will help you keep track of what is in your refrigerator – and how long it has been in there – is a refrigerator inventory. Click here to download your free copy!
What other food questions do you have? Leave me a comment below!
Enjoy!
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My husband is the worst for wanting to eat food that is past its time, ugh! Thanks for sharing this with us at the Homestead Blog Hop! We look forward to seeing you again next week!
Thanks, I have so much fun seeing what everyone shares there every week!