11 Dec How to Safely Pack and Reheat Leftovers From Your Handaans

The holiday season is full of get-togethers, especially for Filipino families who just love a good handaan with their loved ones.   

The only struggle in these gatherings is the leftover food.   

If leftovers are not packed and reheated properly, it can cause food poisoning. Its symptoms can be mild or severe, which include nausea, stomach cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and headaches.   

Avoid any health hazards with your leftovers by knowing how to pack and reheat food properly. 

General Guidelines in Storing and Reheating  

The general rule in handling leftovers include:  

• Put the leftovers inside the refrigerator as soon as possible within 2 hours, and consume it within 3 to 4 days.  
• Before reheating, defrost leftovers through the defrost setting in your microwave or by transferring them out of your fridge. 
• Serve the reheated leftovers immediately. It should not be frozen or reheated once again. 

How Long Can I Keep My Leftovers?  

There are factors to consider when it comes to the longevity of your leftovers, including preparation, storage, and type of food.  

The general rule about is to toss your leftovers within 3 days.  

There are foods that you can keep for longer than 3 days, such as fruits, vegetables, and bread.  

Fruits that have been washed thoroughly and cut fresh can last for 3 to 5 days before they start to lose their freshness.  

Meanwhile, cooked leftover vegetables can be kept for as long as 7 days in the refrigerator, while cooked canned vegetables can last 7 to 10 days with proper storage.  

Meanwhile, store-bought bread can last for about 5 to 7 days, while homemade breads should be consumed within 3 days.  

You can make bread last longer for another 3 to 5 days by putting it inside the refrigerator but the quality of the food will suffer.  

High-risk foods such as cooked rice, meat, poultry, shellfish, eggs, soup, and stew should be consumed within 3 days as they have higher protein and moisture content, which can promote the growth of certain microbes.  

Before eating anything, you should inspect your food for any signs of spoilage such as foul smell, texture and appearance of mold, and any discolorations.  

To avoid any waste and leftovers, buy the exact amount of ingredients you need for your party’s handaan.   

SOURCE:  

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-long-are-leftovers-good-for#signs-of-spoilage  

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-reheat-leftovers#steak