Refrigerated Foods: When to Save and When To Throw Out
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Meat, Poultry, and Seafood
| Type of Product | Food still cold, held at 40° F or above under 2 hours | Held above 40° F for over 2 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh or leftover meat, poultry, fish, seafood | Safe | Discard |
| Thawing meat or poultry | Safe | Discard if warmer than refrigerator temperatures |
| Meat, tuna, shrimp, chicken, egg salad | Safe | Discard |
| Gravy, stuffing | Safe | Discard |
| Lunch meats, hot dogs, bacon, sausage, dried beef | Safe | Discard |
| Pizza - meat topped | Safe | Discard |
| Canned meats (not labeled "Keep Refrigerated") - refrigerated after opening | Safe | Discard |
| Canned hams labeled "Keep Refrigerated" | Safe | Discard |
| Casseroles, soups, stews | Safe | Discard |
Dairy, Eggs, Cheese
| Type of Product | Food still cold, held at 40° F or above under 2 hours | Held above 40° F for over 2 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Milk, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk, yogurt | Safe | Discard |
| Butter, margerine | Safe | Safe |
| Baby formula - opened | Safe | Discard |
| Eggs - fresh, hard cooked in shell | Safe | Discard |
| Eggs dishes, custard, puddings | Safe | Discard |
| Hard cheeses, processed cheeses (cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan) | Safe | Safe |
| Soft cheeses, cottage cheese | Safe | Discard |
Fruits
| Type of Product | Food still cold, held at 40° F or above under 2 hours | Held above 40° F for over 2 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Juices - opened | Safe | Safe |
| Canned - opened | Safe | Safe |
| Fresh fruits, coconut, raisins, dried fruits, candied fruits, dates | Safe | Safe |
Vegetables
| Type of Product | Food still cold, held at 40° F or above under 2 hours | Held above 40° F for over 2 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked, juice - opened | Safe | Discard after 6 hours |
| Baked potatoes | Safe | Discard |
| Fresh mushrooms, herbs, spices | Safe | Safe |
| Garlic - chopped in oil or butter | Safe | Discard |
Pies, Pastries
| Type of Product | Food still cold, held at 40° F or above under 2 hours | Held above 40° F for over 2 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Pastries - cream filled | Safe | Discard |
| Pies - custard, cheese filled, chiffons | Safe | Discard |
| Pies - fruit | Safe | Safe |
Bread, Cakes, Cookies, Pasta
| Type of Product | Food still cold, held at 40° F or above under 2 hours | Held above 40° F for over 2 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bread, rolls, cakes, muffins, quick breads | Safe | Safe |
| Refrigerator biscuits, rolls, cookie dough | Safe | Discard |
| Cooked pasta, spaghetti | Safe | Discard |
| Pasta salads with mayonnaise or vinegar base | Safe | Discard |
Sauces, Spreads, Jams
| Type of Product | Food still cold, held at 40° F or above under 2 hours | Held above 40° F for over 2 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Mayonnaise, tartar sauce, horseradish | Safe | Discard if above 50° F for over 8 hours |
| Peanut butter | Safe | Safe |
| Opened salad dressing, jelly, relish, taco & barbeque sauce, mustard, catsup, olives | Safe | Safe |
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service Food News for Consumers.
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