During the holidays we are constantly preparing big hearty meals to enjoy with family and friends, which often means we end up with fridges full of leftovers. Correct handling and storage of leftovers is important, especially during our hot summer months. Eating spoiled leftovers can result in nasty food poisoning and infection. So, how can we ensure that leftovers are safe to eat?

This differs depending on what the leftovers are (see guideline below), but a general rule to be on the safe side is that you should eat refrigerated leftovers within three to four days. If you don't anticipate eating them within this time, it’s better to freeze them immediately.

Also always refrigerate leftovers quickly, preferably within two hours of cooking. Most bacteria multiply between four and 60 degrees celsius, so it’s not a good idea to keep perishable foods at room temperature for long periods. Uncooked foods, like cold salads or sandwiches, should also be refrigerated without delay. Discard anything left out too long.

Before eating leftovers, reheat them thoroughly. Reheat leftover sauces, soups and gravies to boiling. If you're using an oven to reheat leftovers, set the temperature to at least 160 degrees Celsius to ensure a quick reheating period.

Guideline for keeping leftovers:

Soup, cooked meats, potato, cooked vegetables = 3-4 days
Deli meats, potato or pasta salad = 2-3 days
Seafood: cooked = 2 days; raw = eat on day of purchase
Pasta, rice, pizza = 1-2 days