How often do you check your fridge and remove expired food from your fridge? The recommendation is weekly , so if you're not doing it, it's time to start. If you're checking the expiration date and throwing away something old, don't forget to move some of the larger containers to the side so you can see what's lurking at the bottom of the fridge. Some bad foods are easier to spot than others, especially if they smell bad or are moldy.
Once you figure out what's stale in your fridge, it might be time to give it a deep clean and throw out the other foods, too. That means getting rid of sauces you've only used once. Or eggs with an expiration date of two months ago, even if they appear to be in good condition (see egg test below). Then there's the milk and container with everything you wanted to use but forgot.
Although some foods look good, they can be dangerous when eaten. Stale food can grow bacteria that can cause foodborne illness and smelly kitchens. We tell you which ones to throw away when the time comes, which also leaves room for healthier foods .
Her leftovers have outgrown her greeting
If you've had leftovers in your fridge for more than four days, it's time to throw them away to be safe. The Mayo Clinic says that after four days, the risk of harmful bacteria increases. Nobody needs food poisoning from food that could be thrown away.
By the way, if after a long time you do not have enough, and if they are well packed in large quantities, like a liter of soup, you can safely freeze them for later - make sure that they are not too late. Here's a food storage chart to help you determine when it's time to throw out stale meat, vegetables, and desserts.
You should dispose of leftovers regularly.
Alina Bradford/CBSEverything that has mold has to go
It's proof. If something develops mold in your fridge you need to get rid of it, yes that includes cheese and fruit. There are exceptions: if you have raspberries, for example, only a few of which are moldy, you can still eat the non-mold ones as long as you rinse and inspect them thoroughly.
You can also trim away moldy bits of hard cheese if there is enough to salvage, but be sure to cut an edge deep enough for the mold to disappear. Clean the knife between cuts to keep it from releasing spores.
If your food is moldy, smells foul, or is slimy, throw it out.
Alina Bradford/CBSThrow away anything that smells foul
If you have open foods like cold cuts or hot dogs in your fridge, you should probably throw them out after four days. Cooking them in a new dish might extend their shelf life, but longer and they tend to give off a rotten smell, indicating they've gone bad.
Get rid of foods with a slimy texture
Your food should never be slimy, this applies to meat, vegetables and salad, especially packaged vegetables. The deli is a repeat offender here. Slime is caused by bacteria invading food. If you open the packaging and find that the food has a slimy coating, dispose of it immediately in the compost.
If your product looks slimy, don't eat it.
Taylor Martin/CNETDiscard any eggs that fail the egg test.
If you have eggs that are more than a month old, you can easily tell if they are still safe to eat without opening them.
You need to fill a deep bowl with water and put one egg in the bowl at a time. If the egg goes all the way down and falls to the side, it's still very fresh. If it falls to the ground but stands up, it's still good to eat, but you should eat it as soon as possible. If it swims, it's time to throw it away and buy new eggs.
When they get up, you probably want to use them before they go bad.
Don't let your eggs go to waste.
Alina Bradford/CBSGet rid of these pantry items now too
When you're done cleaning out your fridge, it's best to take a look at some pantry items that may be out of date. These items generally last longer than food in the fridge, but bread, sauces, and preserves also have an expiration date. That's what you need to look for.
- Canned goods with numerous or deep dents: If you notice your canned goods have a deep dent, especially on the side, stay away. Small dents in the metal strip at the top or bottom of the box may be the result of superficial damage during shipping or storage, but deeper indentations raise concerns that the food inside could be affected by botulism, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a serious disease caused by a toxin that attacks the body's nerves.
- Smelly Potatoes: If your potato sprouts, it's still good to eat. But if it smells anything other than earthy, it's probably gone bad. Also watch out for leaking potatoes, this means they are rotting.
- Moldy Bread: If your bread is moldy, don't try to store it. just throw it away
After you've cleaned out your fridge, it's time to move on to the pantry and other rooms in the house. How to Know the Expiration Date of Flour, Sugar, and Other Baking Ingredients and How to Clean Your Kitchen in Less Than 15 Minutes .
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