When the odor from raw chicken makes you choke, or a leftover casserole is covered in fuzz, there’s no doubt that it’s time to throw them out. But what about the package of sliced turkey you opened a week ago, or the carton of milk with yesterday’s expiration date? How can you tell if that’s spoiled food in your fridge?
As food budgets get tighter, you may find yourself contemplating using leftovers that you used to send to the trash without much thought. This can be both good and bad, says Kelly A. O'Connor, registered dietitian and diabetes educator at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. On the one hand, we may be less wasteful, says O’Connor, who teaches a class on food safety. On the other, we may be taking chances with food that could be harboring illness-causing bacteria.
To conserve food and minimize your chances of food-borne illness, follow this use-or-toss guide:
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Use: Fresh vegetables that have been in the refrigerator less than the following times:
Green beans: two to three days
Corn and lettuce: one week
Carrots, celery and asparagus: two weeks
Garlic: two months
Onions, potatoes: four to six months
Toss: Any vegetables that have been in the refrigerator longer than the recommended times or show signs of spoilage, including garlic that has become soft or sprouted and greens such as kale or spinach that have become slimy.
Good advice: If outer lettuce leaves are slimy, remove the slimy leaves and use good ones underneath. Onions and potatoes that have sprouts are safe to use if they appear OK otherwise. Remove sprouts and prepare as usual. Some vegetables, including garlic, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions and tomatoes stay fresher when stored outside the refrigerator.
FRESH MEAT AND POULTRY
Use: Meat purchased in past two or three days
Toss: Any meat that has not been cooked after three days; any meat with a strange appearance or smell
Good advice: If you are not going to use it within three days, cook or freeze. Meats can be frozen up to three months. Once cooked, meats will last another three days or more.
LUNCH MEATS AND HOT DOGS
Use: Unopened packaged meats up to their expiration date (or two weeks from purchase)
Toss: Any meat that has been opened for more than five days; any meat that has slime on it or has a strange smell
Good advice: If you won’t be using luncheon meats, hot dogs or bacon right away, they can be safely frozen for one or two months. Wrapping in individual portions will enable you to thaw just what you need.
Thank you! Gayle
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