If you fall asleep with leftover delivery food like chicken, pizza, or pork on the table, it’s safer not to eat it the next day. Even if the smell and taste seem normal, pathogenic bacteria may have proliferated.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety advises ordering only what you can eat immediately. When receiving food, check that the delivery containers and packaging are not contaminated or damaged. Hot food should be kept above 60 degrees Celsius, while cold food must be stored below 5 degrees Celsius.
Don’t assume that being indoors with air conditioning guarantees safety. Consider the actual temperature of the area where the food is placed and how long it has been left at room temperature. In sunny kitchens, balconies, or uncooled rooms, food temperatures can rise quickly.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends discarding perishable foods, including meat, poultry, and eggs, if they have been left at room temperature for more than two hours. In environments exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit (about 32 degrees Celsius), this guideline is reduced to one hour.
This standard applies not only to outdoor picnics or campsites but also to hot car interiors and uncooled indoor spaces. If you don’t eat delivery food right away or have leftovers, refrigerate them as soon as possible.
When storing leftovers, it’s better to divide large quantities into several shallow containers rather than keeping them in one large container. Foods like soups, stews, and meats can take longer to cool in the center, allowing bacteria to thrive.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recommends quickly cooling cooked food in multiple containers and storing it below 5 degrees Celsius. Do not leave hot food on the table for extended periods to cool.
Instead of placing delivery containers directly in the refrigerator, transfer the food to clean, covered storage containers. Foods that have been shared with multiple people may have been contaminated with saliva or utensils, so it’s best to refrigerate them promptly after the meal.
Do not overcrowd the refrigerator. If cold air cannot circulate properly, food may not cool quickly enough, even when stored inside.
When reheating refrigerated chicken, pork, or other meats, ensure they are heated thoroughly to an internal temperature of 75 degrees Celsius for at least one minute. Stir soups or stews during reheating to ensure even heating throughout.
Food that has exceeded the room temperature guidelines is not guaranteed safe even if reheated in a microwave or air fryer. Some toxins produced by bacteria may remain after reheating, so if you are unsure how long the food has been at room temperature, it’s safer not to eat it.
Particular caution should be taken with foods like kimbap, sushi, salads, and cream desserts that do not require reheating. Foods containing eggs, meat, seafood, or dairy should also be refrigerated immediately after being served.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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