Foods The refrigerator is a really helpful invention. It keeps your food fresh for a longer time and stops it from going bad quickly, which means less wasted food. However, sometimes we tend to keep food in the fridge for too long just because it’s easy to do so. Right now, you might have some food in your fridge that should actually be thrown away. Keep reading to learn more.
Deli Meats
If you enjoy sandwiches and keep deli or cured meats in your fridge, it’s important to know that they might not be safe to eat for too long. According to EatingWell, deli meats should be consumed within five days, while cured meats can last for about two or three weeks. If you’re unsure about the purchase date of your meats, it’s better to be cautious and discard them. Remember to label your meats in the future, so you can keep track of how long they’ve been stored in your fridge.
Cheese
Certain cheeses, such as Brie or goat cheese, don’t remain fresh indefinitely. Even though Brie is typically enjoyed over multiple sittings, it can’t be kept for weeks. To ensure that your soft cheeses are still safe to consume, it’s recommended to store them for a week or two at most. Therefore, it’s a good idea to inspect the cheese compartment in your refrigerator and decide if any of them need to be discarded.
Pickled foods
We enjoy having a jar of pickles or kimchi in our refrigerator because we use them often and they seem like they can last forever. However, that’s not entirely true. Even fermented foods can spoil, so it’s important to regularly check if your pickles, miso, and kimchi are still safe to eat. If you notice a white film on the top of your pickles or kimchi, it’s best to discard them. When it comes to miso, pay close attention to its smell to determine if it’s still good.
Condiments
Do you collect lots of condiments like we do? It’s so easy to keep those little ketchup packets when you get takeout, and when you buy new sauces or try different brands. The good thing is they last a long time without going bad. But even your favorite condiments eventually expire. According to the USDA, ketchup and chili sauce can be kept for around six months. Mustard stays fresh for about a year. Chutney can be stored for one to two months, and olives only stay fresh for two weeks. Mayonnaise and salad dressings should be thrown away after two months.
Broth Or Stock
After you cook chicken, it’s common to use the bones to make a tasty broth or stock. However, it’s important to remember that you can’t keep the broth indefinitely. Typically, you should consume it within four days. If you have leftovers that you won’t finish in that time, you can freeze it. This allows you to savor the delicious chicken broth later on without letting it go to waste.
Homemade Sauces
Earlier, we discussed condiments you get from the store or restaurant. However, if you enjoy making your own sauces, there’s something to consider. Homemade sauces don’t have preservatives, so they can spoil quickly. To avoid any risks of bacteria, it’s important to consume your homemade sauces within two weeks.
Double-Dipped Foods
If you enjoy taking small bites or sips directly from the food in your fridge, it can actually spoil the food. Your mouth and nose contain many germs, more than what the packages or cartons have. So when you take a bite or drink straight from the source or carton, you transfer bacteria to the packaging, making the food spoil faster. If you’ve eaten out of cartons of milk or containers of food multiple times, it’s best to throw them away within four days.
Also Refer : CAN YOU EAT RAW BACON? FIND OUT HERE!
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