After a large tin of apple juice is opened using a can opener, should it be transferred into another container?
To preserve the flavor, transfer the juice into a plastic or glass juice container before storing in the refrigerator.
My mom cut up and froze apples for pies. Can she thaw them, make the pies ahead of schedule, freeze them and then thaw and bake them in a week or so?
Apples that have been previously frozen can be used to make apple pie. Thaw the apples in the refrigerator or in cold water if the package is tightly sealed. The pie can be safely refrozen up to 6 months once completely cooked. Do not refreeze an uncooked pie containing previously frozen apples.
I work in catering and see cans of tomato juice with "No Preservatives" in the contents, constantly taken out of the fridge, left at room temp for days and placed back into the fridge. Is this a safe practice?
Unopened cans of tomato juice and other products, with or without preservatives, would not require refrigeration unless so stated on the label. An exception would be if the juice or other product had less processing and was sold from a refrigerated case. Then it should be kept refrigerated. Once opened, all juice should be covered and refrigerated.
I make a cold salad which consists of rottini, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, shredded cheese, and Italian dressing. How long is this dish safe after being prepared?
As you can see in my Handy Storage Chart, homemade salads can be stored in the fridge as long as 3 to 5 days. Because of the ingredients in your salad, use within 3 days.
I made some potato salad in a stainless steel bowl. I was told this wasn't good practice because the stainless steel absorbs the mayonnaise, and you could get sick. Is this true?
Stainless steel is a combination of iron and other metals used to make cookware and bowls durable and hard with nonporous surfaces. It is suggested to not leave acidic or salty food in bowls or saucepans for a long period of time as undissolved salts can pit the surface. Using your bowl to mix up a potato salad is safe and it will not make you sick.
How can you tell if canned fruits and vegetables are good if you cannot read the code dates?
Because canned fruits and vegetables have a shelf life longer than 90 days, they are not required to list a 'best before' date. I suggest you mark the purchase date on the label. The code indicates the date of manufacture, so you can contact the manufacturer to determine the production date. High acid canned goods such as fruit and those containing tomatoes may be stored 12 to 18 months. Low acid canned vegetables may be stored two to five years.
We left corn in a pot of water for about nine hours is it still safe to eat?
After cooking, corn is soft, moist, and nutritious and can support the growth of harmful bacteria. It should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible. If allowed to remain at room temperature for longer than two hours (1 hour in the summertime) it should be discarded.
I left sliced onions out on the counter all night covered in a dish. Are they safe to cook with?
Onions, once cut, require refrigeration; therefore, they should be discarded.
We stewed some pears for our 10 month old baby, and mistakenly left them out on the bench overnight. The heating was on, as it is winter. Are these still safe to eat? It only contains pear and water.
Unfortunately the pears need to be discarded. Soft, moist food left at room temperature is the perfect environment for pathogenic organisms and/or food spoilage organisms to grow and multiply. Infants, the elderly, and individuals with immune compromised conditions are most at risk for foodborne illness.
- How long is potato salad good for when kept refidgerated?
- Potato salads as any homemade salads would keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
- I would like to prepare homemade chicken pâtés and freeze them. It seems that it is not advisable to freeze boiled potatoes. How can I add small cubes of potatoes to the mix as I am wondering if I could still freeze those pâtés?
- You can freeze the chicken pies even though the mixture contain potatoes. It will freeze well.
- My mother has canned fruit, vegetables and jams and jellies in her pantry from 1992. If it is sealed tight is it still safe to eat?
- Discard your canned fruit, vegetables, jams and jellies. Home preserved food should be stored no longer than one year. There would be great loss of quality and they may not be safe to eat.
- How long can potato salad be safely stored in the refrigerator?
- Store prepared or homemade potato salad can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
- How long can I keep cooked corn in a shallow container in the fridge?
- Recommended storage time for cook vegetables in the refrigerator is 3 to 4 days.
- I found your site very interesting and helpful for info on meat and fish ... However you provide very little info on non meat protein products such as tofu and textured vegetable protein (TVP) and veggie burgers, hotdogs and sausages.
- The focus of the site is food safety and, unfortunately, have not been able to add all food items on our storage charts.
- I left both frozen rhubarb and blueberries (seperate bags) for four hours before refrigerating. Are they okay to eat?
- Fruit should be safe to consume, even if it was left at room temperature for an extended time. But I suggest using it as soon as possible
- I forgot on the counter a duck broth that I had prepared last night. Can I boil it this morning to kill all the overnight bacteria that could have grown or should I throw it away? Thanks!
- No, you will have to discard the broth. Remember the 2 hour rule - perishables, prepared foods and leftovers must be in the refrigerator within two hours or less. In the future, for a large pot of broth, once it is cooked, separate into small, shallow containers and refrigerate right away. In smaller containers it will cool right away.
- Hi! I have prepared a seafood dish with a leek fondue, a light creamy milk sauce and mushrooms. How long can I keep it in the refrigerator?
- If the seafood dish has been fully cooked, I recommend that it should be consumed within 2 to 3 days.
- I picked zucchinni from the garden. How long will it be good to use for baking bread? It was not refrigerated.
- Zucchini should be refrigerated for optimal quality and longer storage. If it is not refrigerated, it will decay very quickly. Do not consume if you see soft, mushy areas or any mold.
- How can I keep cooked potatoes in the refrigerator without having them turning black?
- Try cooking the potatoes with a little lemon juice or vinegar in the water. This will help keep them white. The darkening may be caused by a natural reaction with the iron in the potato.
Or, if the potatoes are stored at refrigerator temperatures the starch in them changes to sugar. When cooked, this sugar "caramelizes' or darkens. Store potatoes at cool, not cold temperatures.
- I would like to know if fresh fruits kept in the refrigerator for a week always have their nutritional attributes?
According to the experts at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, each fruit has a recommended method of storage to maintain its optimum freshness, but equally important to be aware of, is proper storage and handling to reduce the risk of food-borne illness.
I would recommend that the storage guidelines recommended by the producer or packager be followed, or in the absence of such information the following websites can be consulted.
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/specif/fruvege.shtml
http://www.cpma.ca/Nutrition/en/storage.asp
- I didn't know my husband left boiled potatoes out at room temperature in a pot all day. Are they still okay to cook for dumplings or should I throw them out?
- I recommend discarding the potatoes. Once low acid vegetables have been cooked they are soft, moist and nutritious so any bacteria that are introduced will now have everything needed to grow and therefore the cooked potatoes, left in the danger zone temperature well beyond the 2 hours could potentially cause foodbourne illness.
- Hi, I would like to know if I make homemade cornbread dressing if I could freeze it for 2 days before serving it?
- While I don't know all of the ingredients for the cornbread dressing, I feel it would be okay to freeze it. Make sure that you defrost in the refrigerator and, if possible, use a food thermometre to make sure you cook the dressing to an interal temperature of 165ºF
- Can you store cooked food in the refrigerator in the same stainless steel pot it was cooked in?
- The food would be okay in the stainless steel pot. However, I recommend removing the food from the pot into smaller, shallow containers so the food can cool quickly in the fridge. Kept in a large, hot pot, it will not cool as quickly and the food may be left in the danger zone temperature for too long.
- How long can I store peas soup (boiled, pureed and cooked) in the refrigerator? Can I reheat the soup and eat it even after a week?
- Leftover pea soup should be stored in the refrigerator no longer than 3 days. For longer storage freeze for as long as 4 months.
- I left a cooked vegetarian lasagna on the counter overnight in sealed tupperware.i was wondering if i could still eat it,freeze it or still put it in the fridge?i'd taken the tupperware lid of and it smells and looks fine.i would cook it throroughly before eating.
- Don't eat it! Once vegetables have been cooked they become an ideal place for harmful bacteria to grow. And your lasagna probably has other perishable ingredients. Once cooked, your lasagna should have been refrigerated within two hours. You can't see or smell harmful bacteria or the toxins they may produce.
- When I travel, I usually take several cold cut sandwiches with Hellman's mayo on the bread. I have often hopped from plane to plane for up to 12 hours before eating a sandwich. I never got sick, but now people are telling me it's too dangerous. How long can I keep a sandwich out safely without refrigeration at 75 degrees?
- You know, people that are telling you that eating a sandwich left out of refrigeration for long period of time is dangerous are right. The rule of thumb is 2 hours, (one hour in the summer). Prepared foods and left over should be refrigerated at 4 degrees C / 40 degrees F or less withing 2 hours (one hour in the summer) to avoid bacterial growth that could cause food poisoning. You may think that mayonnaise coming out of a jar is safe but once mixed with other foods it offers an excellent medium for growth. It is one of the reasons why you have to keep it refrigerated after opening.
- How long an apple pie purchased in a bakery will keep in the refrigerator? Thanks!
- Product must have an expiry date that would help you to know the time that it could be kept in the refrigerator. This date indicates the product will keep its good quality during this period. It is not to say that you will not be able to eat it the day after this date. However, I hope it will be all gone by the time this date comes along.
- How long after cooking, leeks and soup are still good for your health? We talked about toxicity; what is it? Thanks!
- Leek soup would be of good quality and safe to eat for 2 to 3 days after you make it. After that time, bacteria which cause food borne illness or which produce illness causing toxins may develop.
- How long can I keep boiled potatoes in the fridge? I've heard from someone that they must be consumed within 24 hours. Is this right?
- Cooked potatoes can be safely refrigerated for three to four days. But there may be some loss of quality.
- I prepared a fruit salad yesterday, the evening of December 19th. Would it still be good for the dinner on the 24th? I put in Granny Smith apples, oranges, clementines, mangoes, kiwis, papayas, pears, canned cherries, red grapes and lemon juice. T thought of removing the juices (orange juice and pomegranate juice) to prolong its shelf life (and add them on the 24th) and sprinkle the frits with lemon juice. I would like to know if the fruits will be as appetizing as if it was prepared the day before.
- Your fruit salad will not be as appetizing as if prepared on the 24th or even the day before. At least, the day before, the juices will have the chance to blend enhancing the taste of the salad. Once cut, bacteria that cause spoilage and pathogens may grow more quickly on the surface of fruit. The preparation process also increases the chance of contamination. So, keep fruit salad refrigerated and use as soon as possible.
- How long will a cooked apple pie be safe to eat if left covered out on the counter? I bought it from the grocery bakery, but it was not refrigerated when I bought it. Thanks!
- Fruit pies can be safely left at room temperature for one to two days.
- How many days can fresh fruit be stored refrigerated?
- How long fresh fruit can be refrigerated depends on the type of fruit and its ripeness when refrigerated. For example fresh raspberries can be stored for only two days and in season apples for two months.
- Holiday veggy and cold meat platters sitting out on the display table for the guest during the night of events; just how safe are they?
- Platters of veggies and cold meats sitting on a display table are safe if sitting on a bed of ice and replaced with clean platters and new food frequently. Leftovers and food left at room temperature longer than two hours should be discarded.
- i put a chicken salad sandwich in the frig on friday night, is it still good to eat wed.
- For quality and food safety, sandwiches should only be made one day ahead and stored in the fridge.
- Can we open a can of vegetables, cook with them and freeze them after?
- Yes, leftover cooked, canned vegetables can be safely frozen, but there will be loss of quality.
- How long can an open bottle of juice be kept in the refrigerator before you shouldn't drink it anymore?
- How long an open bottle of juice can be safely kept in the refrigerator will vary depending on how much the juice has been processed. Some minimally processed juices have a very short shelf life. Check the label of your juice for this information.
- My mother tells me that a vegetable and potato soup last for a maximum of 2 days inthe refrigerator and my mother-in-law telle me that they were preparing soup for the week way back then. So how long can we eat it without being sick? Thanks!
- Homemade soup can be safely refrigerated as long as 3 days or frozen.
- Can we keep in the refrigerator potatoes with their skin still on and if so for how long?
- New potatoes can be refrigerated for one week without loss of quality. Refrigerator storage is not recommended for old potatoes. They can be stored for one month at room temperature away from light.
- Can I peel potatoes and keep them in a pot on the stove in water and turn them on when I get home about 9 hours later?
- This is not a good thing to do. Once the protective skin of potatoes is removed, they are more susceptible to harmful bacteria. Also the water will leach out nutrients from the potatoes and there may be some discolouration.
- I made brussel sprouts and left them out on the stove for about 6 hours...are they still safe to eat? could I get sick if I ate them?
- The Brussels sprouts should not be eaten if left at room temperature longer than 2 hours. Once cooked they are the ideal environment for harmful bacteria to grow at room temperature.
- Please give guidance as to a combination of which fruits are appropriate to store as salad in refrigerator for 3-4 days. enlighten me about the same for veg salad also.
- Harmful and spoilage bacteria may grow more quickly on the surface of cut, sliced or shredded fruits and vegetables. The handling during preparation also increases the risk of contamination. They should be stored no longer than three to five days. Fruits which may maintain their quality during this time are melon, pineapple, grapes and citrus. As for vegetables, try broccoli, cabbage, carrots, celery, onions, peppers.
- How we can put the grapes fresh in refrigerator for a long time period?
- Grapes should be refrigerated in a plastic bag, checking for and removing spoiled grapes periodically. Only wash them just before serving by holding under cool running water. Grapes do not ripen after they are picked. They will keep in the refrigerator for about two weeks but are best eaten within several days.
- How long will already baked potatoes last in the fridge? Thanks.
- Baked potatoes may be safely stored in the fridge for three days. But if they have been baked in foil, remove the foil wrap as soon as possible to prevent the development of Botulinum bacteria
- After my baby has sipped from a cup of (pasturized) juice, how long can it be kept (at room temperature or in the fridge) before being discarded?
- That will depend on the age and health of your baby but do not leave juice at room temperature longer than one hour. The younger the baby, the more he or she is at risk for getting sick from food borne harmful bacteria. When sipping, saliva can transfer bacteria from the baby's mouth to the juice. So fill your cup with a small amount and do not refrigerate leftovers.
- I am two months pregnant and several days ago, I ate a dried prune. The day after, I noticed that there were molds on the other prunes in the package. Is there a risk for my unborned baby?
- You should not have to worry at all for the baby after you consumed a dried prune from which would found the leftovers moldy the day after. There is nothing indicating that this piece was moldy. You could always talk to your doctor about it but to my knowledge, there should not be any problem.
- I opened a can of baked beans, took out half and put the remaining half in the fridge. I covered the can with saran wrap. How long can I leave the beans in the fridge and is it safe to store food in cans in the fridge?
- Leftover canned baked beans can be refrigerated three to four days. Leftover canned foods should be transferred to an airtight container before refrigerating.
- I had left unopened mozarella cheese packages in my freezer for the past few months. They expired in 2006 Dec. It is now Feb. should I discard them or are they safe to eat once thawed? If yes to the latter, how soon should I use them.
- As long as the cheese was frozen on or before the Best Before Date, it can be frozen for as long as eight weeks, thawed in the refrigerator and used as soon as possible. Only use it as an ingredient in recipes because there may be a change in appearance and texture.
- How long can we keep fresh vegetables and how? Are market vegetables good? They seem to spoil quite fast.
- Some fresh vegetables can be refrigerated as long as two weeks including cabbage, carrots, celery, iceberg lettuce, and winter squash. Others start to lose quality after being refrigerated a few days- green or wax beans- 5 days, spinach 2-4 days and leaf lettuce 3-7 days. Others are best kept at room temperature such as tomatoes - until ripe, yellow onions - 3 weeks, mature potatoes 1 month. Vegetables sold in Farmer's markets should be safe and of good quality as they are usually grown closer to your home. But they may spoil more quickly as they are harvested closer to maturity and may not be refrigerated during transportation to and while at the market.
- How long can you keep cold cuts out of the fridge?
- Cold cuts should be kept out of the fridge for as little time as possible but definitely not for more than two hours. Cold cuts are a good medium for bacterial growth.
- How long can I keep cooked zucchini in the refrigerator? Thank you!
- Cooked zucchini can be refrigerated as long as 3 to 4 days.
- How long can I keep an opened bottle of salad dressing in the fridge?
- In Canada, commercial oil and vinegar type salad dressings have a Best Before Date and once opened they should be refrigerated and used by that date or within 3 months. After opening refrigerate commercial mayonnaise type dressings and use within 2 months.
- How long can orange juice be kept out of the fridge for and still be drinkable?
- Orange juice must be kept refrigerated after opening, mixing from a concentrate or squeezing from an orange. Some ready to drink juices have their own Best before date printed on their containers. Prepared juices should keep refrigerated for up to one week. If left at room temperature longer than two hours (one hour when temperatures are warmer) it should be discarded.
- We jar our own tomato sauce that is boiled after jarring and sealed air tight by the boiling process. How long can it be stored at room temp on the shelf?
- If you are following a reliable recipe and processing in a boiling water canner for the correct amount of time, your home preserved sauce may be stored one year.
- Can you get sick or lead poisoning from fruits or vegetables that are stored opened in the refrigerator in the original can?
- To preserve the flavour and safety of leftover canned food, the unused portion of canned food should be removed from the can and placed in glass or plastic storage containers then covered tightly and refrigerated.The consequences of leaving the food in the can will vary depending on the type of food and can.
- How long can I keep mashed potatoes in the fridge? Thanks
- Cooked mashed potatoes can be safely refrigerated for three days.
- Hello, I prepare various purées and stewed fruit for my little girl. How long can I keep them in the fridge before they are eaten?
- Use the puree fruit and stewed fruit within one to two days. You can freeze the fruit in serving size portions for longer storage.
- I cooked chicken soup in a stainless steel pot. I then refridgerated it overnight. Now I put the pot of soup in the freezer. Is this safe. I want to reheat it in this pot this week.
- It may be safe to refrigerate and freeze food in a stainless steel container or pot. But there are several reasons why this may not be a good idea. Foods should not be refrigerated or frozen in a large container because they chill and freeze too slowly allowing the possible growth of harmful bacteria. Then the container or pot may not have an adequate cover. Container covers should fit tightly to protect the food from the dry climate of the freezer. Also manufacturers caution against allowing acidic or salty foods to remain in stainless steel for long periods. There is no known health hazards from leaching of the metal, but undissolved salt will pit steel surfaces.
- Can I prepare chicken soup in an All Clad stainless steel stock pot and store it in the same pot in the refrigerator until the next day when I am ready to use it?
- It may be safe to refrigerate food in a stainless steel container or pot. But there are several reasons why this may not be a good idea. Foods should not be refrigerated in a large container because they cool too slowly possibly allowing the growth of harmful bacteria. The container or pot may not have an adequate cover which fits tightly. Also manufacturers caution against allowing acidic or salty foods to remain in stainless steel for long periods. There is no known health hazards from leaching of the metal, but undissolved salt will pit steel surfaces.
- If we plan to store boiled potatoes in refrigerator what will be the shelf life? Can we peel them and store them? what is the best way for increasing their shelf life? Are there any chances of nutritional loss?
- Once potatoes are peeled and boiled, they become an ideal environment for harmful bacteria to grow. They should not be stored longer than 3 to 4 days. When uncooked potatoes are peeled, they have to be stored in water to prevent discolouration and nutrients are lost in the water.
- How long can fully cooked homemade chicken soup be left out without refrigeration?
- To prevent the possible growth of harmful bacteria, fully cooked homemade chicken soup should be cooled as quickly as possible after cooking and then refrigerated. If left unrefrigerated longer than two hours (one hour in the summer) it should be discarded.
- What would happen to an unopened container of milk left on the bench for a week
- Milk is a perishable commodity that needs to be refrigerated at all times. Pasteurization eliminates pathogens, but sporeformers, lactic acid bacteria and spoiler microorganisms would develop at room temperature turning the milk sour and curdling it to make is undrinkable.
- I left an orange juice carton(fresh/from refrigerator section) in the car trunk for almost 20 hours. Should it be discarded? The day temperature has been up to 28 degres C (83 degree F).
- Orange juice sold in the refrigerator section of the store has to be kept refrigerated because it has been processed less than canned juice. It should be discarded.
- I mix small quantities of ham and turkey for my baby and I freeze them (in small thermos boxes). Is it recommended? If so, how long can I keep them in the freezer?
- Cooked ham and turkey can be mixed and safely frozen in single serving amounts for your baby. Freeze for a maximum of two to three months.
- I am just responding to your question and answer to Mayonnaise added to cold cut sandwiches. You are wrong in stating that adding commercial mayonnaise provides an ideal environment for mayonnaise to grow. It actually INHIBITS the growth of bacteria. There are many articles and studies proving this, by the university of wisconsin's food safety board and the new york times. here are some links. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9D03E3D61438F931A25756C0A964948260 http://foodsafety.wsu.edu/consumers/factsheet.asp?pid=76
- Thank you for your comments. You are right to say that commercial mayonnaise by its nature (pH is acidic) would inhibits the growth of bacteria. But what you ommited to say from those publications is they say that food still need to be kept refrigerated no matter what. Even if there is growth inhibition, mayonnaise cannot be used to control bacteria in food.
- How long can mushrooms be kept and what is the best way to store them
- For best quality, refrigerate mushrooms in a paper bag and use within five days.
- My pineapple has been in the refrigerator for the last two weeks. Is it still good to eat? I had a piece and it still has the same taste.
Fresh pineapple should be promptly refrigerated once you return from purchasing it, and it should remain at a refrigerated temperature during storage to avoid spoilage. Be sure to separate fresh fruits and vegetables from unprocessed or raw food items in order to avoid cross-contamination. The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA ) recommends that pineapple be used within two or three days.
Fresh cut pineapple, like all fruit and vegetables should be refrigerated within two hours of peeling and cutting. If cut fruits and vegetable have been left at room temperature for longer than two hours - discard them. Store cut pineapple in a sealed container in the refrigerator, and use within 2 days.
- How long can a fruit salad with melons (cantalope, watermelon, and honey dew)be kept in the refrigerator after preparing?
- Fruit salad may be refrigerated for three days
- I brought chicken and broccoli (cooked) that was left from dinner in a restaurant and forgot to refregerate it for ahout 3 1@ hours (it was in my car in the garage). Is it safe to eat it for lunch today?
- If the leftover food was left unrefrigerated for longer than a total of two hours (one hour in the summer)from the time it left the restaurant kitchen, there is a risk that harmful bacteria have grown and it should be discarded.
- I left my mashed strawberries and sugar out over night, is it still ok to eat them?
- Once mashed, strawberries are at greater risk for the development of spoilage and harmful bacteria. The mashed berries should be refrigerated within two hours (one hour in the summer).
- I've had rhubarb in my freezer for 2 years. Is is still okay to eat?
- Your rhubarb will be safe to eat but there will be some loss of quality. Rhubard can be frozen without loss of quality for 10 to 12 months.
- I have a can of stewed tomatoes with no expiration date on the can. Can I still use the stewed tomatoes and not get sick? How long are they good for?
- Since canned products are shelf stable, they do not carry a best before date. The recommended shelf life for acidic canned foods such as stewed tomatoes is 18 months. The can will have a manufacturer's code that will tell when the product was produced. Contact the manufacturer directly to get information on how the code is to be read. I also recommend to put the date that you purchased the product, so you can consume it within a reasonable amount of time.
How long have you had the can of stewed tomatoes? Was it stored properly, in a cool, dry cupboard? Is the can in good shape, free from dents and not bulging? If you open the can and it is free from corrosion or discoloring, then the stewed tomatoes should be okay. Once opened, any leftover tomatoes can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days.
- How long can celery be kept in the fridge? Is it still safe to eat raw after one month?
- Recommended storage time for celery in the refrigerator is 2 weeks. This is for optimal quality of the celery and it may be safe to eat beyond that time. You may notice that the celery that you've had for one month will not be of the best quality.
- Can we freeze fresh pineapple?
- Select firm, ripe pineapple with full flavour. Pare and remove core and eyes. Slice, dice, crush or cut into sticks. Pack tightly into containers without sugar, leaving 1 cm/1/2 inch headspace. Seal and freeze.
- How long can we keep harvested mushrooms in the freezer?
- Before freezing, mushrooms should be steamed or sauteed in a fry pan. They can be kept in the freezer 8-12 months.
- Is it safe to keep baked potatoes at room temperature to be used the following day for baked potato skins, if i do not cover them with aluminum?
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Baked potatoes may become contaminated with harmful bacteria. So they should be refrigerated as soon as possible after cooking and used within three days
- I would like to eat a boiled potato tomorrow for breakfast but dont have enough time to. so if i boil it tonight, and then put it in the fridge over night, will i be able to eat it cold tomorrow morning?
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Yes you can boil a potato, refrigerate it as soon as possible and store it for three days.
- At what temperature in Celcius degrees should we keep pies and cheeses in the refrigerator?
- Pies and cheeses should be kept in the refrigerator at a temperature located between 1 and 4 degrees Celcius. This temperature should be measured and monitored using a refrigerator thermometer.
- My friend cooks rice on stove and lets it sit out all day. Is this safe? She also makes homemade yogurt and leaves it set out till it's "made".?
- Once rice is cooked, it becomes a hazardous food. Rice is well know to be involved in food poisoning cases causes by the bacteria Bacillus cereus that can produce spores that will stand heat used to cook the rice. It is important to refrigerate the rice as soon as possible after cooking and if left at room temperature longer than one hour (two hours in the winter) it should be discarded. Yogourt is made by the fermentation and coagulation of milk at very warm temperatures for several hours. But after the yogourt is made, it should be refrigerated to control fermentation and avoid the growth of spoilage microorganisms.
- How long will scotch broth soup last made with lamb,in the frige.
- Scotch Broth soup made with lamb will keep for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- How long can fresh lemons be kept in the fridge and how long after cutting them for use can they be kept in fridge.
- Fresh lemons can be refrigerated covered or in a crisper for one month. After cutting them for use , they should be used within three to five days.
- How long can you keep bottle fruit and relishes preserves. My aunt is 89 and a little unsure if all her preserves are still good. Some are two years some are 4 years. etc.
- Homemade and commercial preserves and relishes should be used within one year.
- I made some sherbert with peaches, sugar, lemon juice and I froze everything. It has been a year now that I forgot it in the freezer. Would it sill me good to eat or is it dangerous?
- Ther shoudl not be any hazards if hte sherbert is consumed. However, texture and taste most likely changed. Ice crystals would driy out the food as well.
- I have a bottle of Compliment French Salad dressing in the refrigerator for about a year now. It has always been refrigerated. Can I still use it to prepare a macaroni salad without cooking.
- The salad dressing should probably not be used. Check for a Best Before Date on the label dressing or it should be used within three months of purchase.
- I have a friend who made jellies and jams from fresh fruit and berries, but did not process them in a boiling bath. She just cooked them, put them into jars and turned them upside down till they sealed. How long will these stay good if left unrefridgerated? Isn't this a danger of spoilage if you don't process it?
- Homemade jams, jellies, other preserves and canning have to be processed for storage at room temperature.
If not processed properly there is a danger of spoilage and contamination with mould and harmful bacteria. Your friends unprocessed jams and jellies could be refrigerated a couple of weeks or stored at room temperature for three days.
- I would like to know why my potatoes are stained when I prepare a potato salad? What kind of potatoes should I use?
- If you mean that your potatoes darken when cooked ahead, that happens normally with all kinds of potatoes. Try tossing them with a bit of an acidic ingredient in the dressing such as vinegar or lemon juice after cooking.
- Can we keep lettuce in the freezer?
- Lettuce does not freeze successfully. Because of the high water content the leaves.
- How long can you keep unopened potato salad in the refigerator before it spoils?
- Check the label for a Best Before Date and use it by that date or if the container gets opened, use within five days.
- How long can citrus fruits, such as lemons and limes, be kept if cut open and not refrigerated? Is it possible to get E. coli?
- Cut fruit should be kept refrigerated and left at room temperature for as short a time as possible. Harmful bacteria grow more quickly on the surfaces of cut or sliced fruit. The additional handling also increases the risk of contamination.
- I bought Shiitake mushrooms at the farmers market on Saturday. They were in a paper bag, hanging in the mud room in a cloth sac. It is now Monday. They look and smell fine--can I cook them?
- Mushrooms can be refrigerated as long as five days in a paper bag. So it would depend if your mud room is as cold as a refrigerator 4 degrees C/40 degrees F.and how airtight was the cloth sac. For two days, there should not be any problem if you cook them.
- How long do homemade baked beans last if they're put in a resealable plastic bag, and stored in the fridge?
- Refrigerated baked beans should be eaten within 3 - 4 days.
- How long does uncooked butternut squash last, left out at room temperature? I bought one back in January. It doesn't look bad...is it?
- For top quality, an uncut winter squash such as butternut should be stored at room temperature no longer than one week.
- I have sauteed mushrooms in garlic and butter. When cooled, placed in sealed tupperware container, how long can they be safely kept in refrigerator?
- Mushrooms sauteed in butter should be refrigerated no longer than four days.
- I mistakenly froze the small containers of yogourt after buying it at the grocery store. Can I thaw it and eat it?
- Yogourt may be frozen for as long as one to two months.
- I am cleaning out a pantry for a friend and have discovered a can of tomatoes and a can of pineapple that have burst at the seams and are stuck to the pantry shelf. Is it safe to pry up the cans exposing the contents to the air that we are breathing so the area may be properly cleaned?
- The contents of the cans will be spoiled. Handle and dispose of them carefully to avoid cross contamination. After handling them wash your hands well with hot soapy water and sanitize the shelf with a mixture of 5 mL/1tsp unscented bleach with 750 mL/3 cups water.
- I had frozen rhubarb in freezer. I defrosted it on Wednesday and it is now Sunday. I wanted to use it today (Sunday) to cook with Orange Juice, honey mixture and was wondering if it was still ok to use. It has been in the fridge since Wednesday evening. Thanks
- The quality of frozen fruit is best if the fruit is kept refrigerated and used as soon as possible after defrosting.
- I am a student and some times end up buying fruits and leaving it for longer than the USE BY date , I bought plums which were moderately hard and fresh , but its almost 10 days above the use by date , i tasted it and it tastes alright , but they have become little soft . I wonder is it still alright to eat those , its the same case with the pears as well.
- Buy only the amount of fruit you can use before the Best Before Date or the peak of ripeness and quality. After that date they will usually quickly spoil and develop mould which can be harmful.
- Should we wash raspberries and blackberries that are purchased in a berry pack at the supermarket? Thank you!
- All fruits should be washed under cool running water before using. Use enough water to loosen dirt and bacteria and wash them away. Be sure the water gets into the crevices of the berries.
- Can I put watermelon boat in cold ref overnight after cut watermelon and put fruits into watermelon boat ?
- Pathogens may grow more quickly on the surface of cut, sliced or shredded fruit. The additional handling and possible temperature abuse during preparation may also increase the chance of contamination. So a watermelon boat filled with fruit should definitely be kept refrigerated once prepared.
- I would like to know if I could freeze excess zucchini?
- Yes, you can freeze excess zucchini. Blanch 1 cm/1/2 in slices in boiling water 3 minutes and cool in iced water. If you prefer grated zucchini, steam blanch for 1 to 2 minutes; cool and freeze.
- How long can Tiramisu be kept in the refrigerator? Should it be kept in plastic or glass casserole??
- Because of its perishable ingredients, Tiramisu should only be kept refrigerated for several hours to one day. Either a glass or plastic container may be used.
- I bought squash, bell peppers, shittake mushrooms, carrots, and green onions on Sunday and noticed on Tuesday that I left the temperature of the fridge at the coldest temperature and now the foods are hard and have frost to the packaging. I plan to cook the food Friday, is it still safe to eat?
- If your vegetables have been frozen or nearly frozen, they would be safe to eat but when defrosted most may turn to mush.
- My daughter wants to incorporate egg yolks in her child's diet. Can I freeze my egg yolks to give it to her after?
- Egg yolks can be frozen but they require special treatment as they thicken or gel if frozen as is. Beat in either 1/8 tsp (0.5 mL) salt or 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) sugar or corn syrup per 1/4 cup (50 mL) egg yolks (about 4 egg yolks). Pour into freezer container and cover with tight fitting lid. Or freeze 1 tbsp (15 mL) of egg yolk per each compartment in an ice cube tray.
- I just made homeade vegetable soup can I store it hot in the fridge, or do I have to let it cool down before putting it in the fridge ?
- Today's refrigerators are designed to chill warm food items without causing damage to the appliance. To aid the cooling process, separate your soup into shallow containers and cover once cooled.
- How long can freshly prepared fish stock and chicken broth be kept in the freezer?
- Freshly prepared fish stock and chicken broth can be stored in the freezer for 4 to 6 months.
- 1. Should uncut lemons and limes be kept in the ice-box ? 2. I left uncooked sliced/peeled/cut sweet potatoes on the counter for about 10 hours at an average temp of 27 C / 80 F. May I safely deep fat fry them the next morning ?
- Uncut lemons and limes can be kept at room temperature for one week or in the fridge for one month. Cut vegetables such as raw sliced and peeled sweet potatoes should be refrigerated and not left at room temperature longer than one hour in the summer (two hours in the winter). Once peeled or cut, fruits and vegetables provide an ideal environment for the growth of harmful bacteria.
- My daughter had forgotten about the 2 bottles of juice that she bought and they sat in the car for a week, in the trunk and it was very humid out. Are they still alright to drink?
- The juice may not be safe to drink. If it was purchased refrigerated, it should be kept refrigerated until consumed. If it was bought from a grocery store shelf, it can be stored at room temperature but should not be subjected to extremely hot temperatures as seems to be the case here.
- Good morning Madam! I work in a restaurant and one of our freezers broke down. We had bags of frozen strawberries supplied by a company and we put them in the refrigerator. How long would these strawberries still be good?
- Once defrosted in the refrigerator, the strawberries should be used within two days.
- We bought veggie burgers a few weeks ago and have been storing them in the fridge ever since. I recently looked at the package and found out that it the date it was best before passed 6 days ago. Are they still safe to eat?
- For maximum quality and food safety, the veggie burgers should have been eaten by their Best Before Date. After that date, there will have been loss of quality and food safety issues may develop. You should throw them away.
- I would like to know how to keep bread and sandwiches fresh so they would not dry out?
- Sandwiches should be refrigerated and used the next day. Commercially made bread can be kept at room temperature two to four days without loss of quality, in the fridge seven to 14 days or frozen for one to three months.
- I opened a jar of store-bought raspberry jam and without thinking put it in the pantry instead of the refrigerator. I discovered the opened jar 24 hours later. Is it still edible?
- To prevent the growth of mould and preserve quality, a jar of raspberry jam should be kept refrigerated after opening.
- I left an open lemon concentrate out over night. Is the lemon concentrate still safe to use? It had been refrigerated after opening but then inadvertently left out over night upon subseqent use.
- If lemon concentrate is left at room temperature longer than one hour (two hours in the winter) there will be loss of quality and it may not be safe to use. Lemon juice is quite acid but even with this acidity, molds and yeast can multiply and ruin the product.
- Do you have to refrigerate store bought jam after opening it? I usually do and then the jam crystallizes and becomes hard. Can I just store the "opened" jam jar on the shelf? If so, how long can I do this before it spoils?
- Yes, both store bought and homemade jams should be refrigerated after opening to preserve their quality and safety and they should be used within six months.
- How long can boiled eggs be kept in the refrigerator and be safe to eat?
- Hard cooked eggs may be refrigerated for one week.
- After the raw tomato is sliced, how long can the sliced tomatoes be kept in the refrigerator?
- There will be loss of quality once tomatoes are sliced but they can be kept in the refrigerator three days.
- Is it satisfactory to freeze prune juice that I have opened from a bottled commercial purchased product and how long will a bottle of prune juice last in the refrigerator.
- Once bottled prune juice is opened, it can be refrigerated 5 to 7 days. Yes, commercial prune juice can be frozen for eight months.
- I prepare some homemade purees for my baby. I cook some potatoes, add canned greens beans, mix them together and freeze the mixture. Is it possible to freeze foods coming from a can? How long does a thawed puree keep in the refrigerator?
- Yes, canned foods may be frozen once opened. Because babies are more at risk for food borne illness, it would be safer to freeze the puree in single serving amounts such as in an ice cube tray, then defrost and heat just before using. A thawed puree woudl keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Hi! I am planning to buy a air-ventilated refrigerator equipped with a cold zone drawer (0 to 3 degrees C). Can I put in this drawer some fruits, some vegetables and cheeses or is it only good for meats, fishes and cold cuts?
- The slightly colder temperatures of your cold zone drawer would be ideal for storing meat, fish and cold cuts. But the lower temperature may affect the quality of some fruits and vegetables. The quality of some cheeses may also be affected.
- I have plenty of zucchini out of my garden and I would like to save one to enter in a fall fair. How long can a fresh whole zucchini be kept in the fridge before it loses it's firmness. It will not be eaten but needs to be fresh and firm still.
- Because zucchini is a summer squash, its shelf life is relatively short. It can be stored in the fridge for one week. After that there will be a gradual loss of quality.
- I bought a box of peaches and one of nectarines at the store. Unfortunately many of them are less than perfect, so I had the idea of cutting off the bruises and making fruit relish. I made this before, but have only a few commercial jam jars in which to store it after cooking. Would it be possible to freeze it after it cools in clean ziploc freezer bags ?
- Fruit relish can be safely frozen, but it is normally canned because freezing will cause loss of quality such as flavour and texture. It might be better to just freeze the useable fruit for later use.
- Hi! I have cooked potatoes under steam Thursday night (but way to much for my needs). Today Monday, I have eaten a salad made with those potatoes that were kept in the refrigerator with their skin. I had stomach pains this afternoon. I am wondering if it could have been the potatoes. Can it have bacteria that multiply in the potatoes? If I boiled them again and mash them, would that eliminate bacteria?
- Without actually testing the potatoes, it would be impossible to know if they were the cause of your stomach pain. But we do know that harmful bacteria can multiply on cooked potatoes. They should be refrigerated no longer than three days. We also know that some bacteria produce heat resistant toxins which would not be destroyed by reboiling the potatoes and mashing them. Discard the potatoes.
- Can I freeze squash? Thank you!
- Summer squash such as zucchini and crookneck should be thinly sliced and blanched in boiling water three minutes before freezing. Winter squash such as acorn should be cooked until soft and mashed then frozen.
- How long can a properly cooled and wrapped homemade apple pie be in the fridge before it's no longer safe to eat?
- The recommended refrigerated storage time for a fruit pie is up to 7 days.
- I opened a glass jar of boletus (a variety of mushrooms) bought in a store 8 days ago. It has been in the refrigerator since. Can I still eat them?
- Once a jar of mushrooms is opened, they should be refrigerated and used within 3 to 4 days.
- How long a salad dressing can be kept in the refrigerator as well as room temperature?
- A homemade vinaigrette (oil and vinegar) salad dressing can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days. It should not be stored at room temperature. For commercially made vinaigrette, see the Best Before Date or refrigerate after opening and use within 3 months.
- I'm making pear preserves. The recipe calls for leaving the preserves in the frig. for 12 to 24 hours before canning them. Is it safe to leave them in the frig. in a commercial-grade aluminum pot for this length of time?
- Yes. the method for making your preserves is correct but the acid in the preserves may react with the aluminum pot. Store them in a different container.
- Is it possible to freeze extra pears to make into preserves @ a later date? Or will they get mushy when thawed? If I can freeze them, what is the best method for the best results?
- The pears will have a better texture if frozen in a sugar syrup. Othewise, they will be mushy when defrosted.
- I had a party and had cut up veggies like carrots, tomato, celery, broccoli and peppers in a basket for about 4 hours. Is it still good?
- Raw vegetables can be contaminated with harmful bacteria. They are even more susceptible to bacterial growth once cut up and guests could contaminate them when reaching for them.
- I left a baked spaghetti squash in the oven (turned off) for over 24 hours. It is spoiled...right? I am assuming it should have been refrigerated within 2 hours.
- You are assuming correctly. Once baked, the squash is an ideal environment for the development of harmful bacteria. If left in an oven with no heat for 24 hours, it should be discarded.
- I often prepare baby tomatoes and freshly cut and scraped carrots for my daughter to munch on at school. Is this safe as crudite?
- Fresh baby tomatoes and carrots are a great school snack as long as they are packaged in an insulated bag with a freezer pack or frozen juice box.
- I cooked prunes and left them in the pot all night. Are they still safe to eat?
- Once dried fruit is cooked, it becomes moist and can support the development of harmful bacteria. Cooked prunes should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking.
- Should pancake syrup be kept in the fridge after opening? It is not pure maple - but Aunt Jemima's.
- Maple syrup does require refrigeration after opening but corn and table syrup does not require refrigeration.
- I am a mother of two students from which I prepare foods on Sunday. How long can they keep foods prepared by myself on Sunday in their refrigerator? Greens beans, cooked carrots, cooked broccoli, cooked spinash without fat. How long can they keep them; being cooked on Sunday? Thank you!
- Cooked vegetables can be refrigerated for four days.
- Hi! I have just learned thatthere is a recall of romaine lettuce and two other types; Dole. I purchased romaine in bags (packs of three) last week and I just ate the second one; well washed with salad dressing right before I've got the information on the recall. It is not clear. Is it mixed salads sold in supermarket in clear containers: ready-to-eat and washed three times or does it apply to fresh lettuce sold individually?
- Dole recall that you referred to involves only the 227 grams packages of a mixture of ready-to-eat romaine, green leaf and butter lettuce hearts called Hearts Delight lLttuce Salad bearing a "Best If Used By" (BIUB) of September 19, (07SE19) with a lot code number A24924B. This recall does not apply to fresh lettuces sold individually or in packages of 3.
- Is it safe to drink out of an aluminum pop can that has been in the fridge open over night?
- An opened can of pop that has been refrigerated overnight should be safe to drink, but it may taste flat.
- I cooked chicken cacciatore on wed nite in a slow cooker, it's been in fridge entire time, today is sunday, is it still safe to eat? The chicken had been purchased same day as cooking it, so it was fresh when cooked
- Cooked cacciatore can be refrigerated three to four days. It should still be good on Sunday.
- what will happen if prune juice is left opened and unrefrigerated for weeks?is there a possabillity of it turning to alcohol?
- If opened prune juice is stored unrefrigerated, the juice will develop spoilage organisms that can cause illness. It is unlikely that the juice will turn to alcohol as juice purchased off the shelf have undergone heat processing (pasteurization). Yeasts that would be involved in fermentation would have been destroyed during this process.
- I roasted about 20 red peppers on the grill today. After they were roasted I stored them in an 8 quart stainless steel stock pot with lid. After all peppers were cooked I removed them from the pot, removed the skin and seeds and refrigerated them. When peeling them I noticed that about 4 of the peppers appeared to be decayed inside around the seeds (even though these peppers appeared fine from the outside). I discarded the decayed peppers. My question is can I eat the rest of the peppers since they were all stored together in the pot after cooking and the juices from all peppers combined. Have the good peppers been contaminated or can I still eat them?
- If there was mould, decay or spoilage inside the roasted peppers, there is a risk that all the peppers could be contaminated. In which case, they should not be eaten.
- Can individual packets of mayonnaise & salad dressing be stored room temperature or must they be refrigerated?
- Single serving size packages of condiments do not need to be refrigerated if unopened. If opened, store in refrigerator.
- How long an opened container of V-8 vegetable juice will keep in the refrigerator?
- Once opened, V-8 juice can be refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.
- Pea salad with eggs and mayo, going on a camping trip. How long will this salad stay fresh. thank you very much.
- A salad made with hard cooked eggs has to be kept refrigerated and should be eaten within 24 hours of preparation.
- Can I freeze sandwiches made of ground ham mixed with mayonnaise as well as sandwiches made with salmon and mayonnaise.
- Mayonnaise tends to separate. Use salad dressing instead to make frozen sandwiches with ground ham and salmon salad.
- My husband purchased frozen corn at one store and then walked around for about an hour and a half . By the time we got home the corn was unfrozen , he insists it is still good and put it back in the freezer.Will anyone get sick if it is used?
- If the corn was held above 4 degrees C/40 degrees F for longer than 6 hours, it should be discarded. Otherwise it may be refrozen with loss of quality.
- Hi! Congratulations for your excellent work! I do freeze apples and I would like to know how to cut them without seeing them turning yellow? I want them to stay white for freezing and for preparing pies. Thank you!
- The apples are yellowing due to oxidation. To prevent this, soak cut apples immediately in a solution of 1/4 cup lemon juice and 4 cups cold water. Ascorbic acid or vitamin C may also be used and is available at most drugstores. Dissolve 1/2 tsp ascorbic acid in 4 cups water.
- Hi, I grated some zucchini for bread. Its in refrigerator. Tonight will be 3 nights left in fridge. I want to freeze it. How long is it good for grated zucchini in plastic storage bag in the refrigerator?Can I freeze it the way it is without no worries?
- Grated zucchini may be refrigerated up to 2 days. Pathogens grow more quickly on the surfaces of shredded, moist vegetables thereby reducing their storage life.
- I made pancakes using a mix (just add water). I refrigerated the few leftover cooked pancakes. How long are they okay to eat?
- Leftover cooked pancakes can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days.
- do pickled eggs have to be refrigerated
- Pickled eggs should be refrigerated at all times and used within 1 month.
- I have canned some pears off my tree. This process took me a few days. By the time I got around to the last bunch of pears they were getting pretty ripe. I canned them anyhow but some of them turn a bit brown. Are they still ok to eat?
- The change in color occurs naturally as the pears mature. This is not a food safety issue and the pears are safe to eat, provided they have been properly canned.
- I opened a store bought spinach dip. Once opened how long is it good for. the expire date is not for another 2 weeks. can it last 2 weeks with us eating it here and there.
- Once opened, the Best Before Date no longer applies. Keep refrigerated and use within 10 days.
- Homemade vegetable, navy bean and barley soup left out overnight, still safe to eat?
- Your soup is not safe to eat. Once the vegetables, beans and barley are cooked they become perishable. The soup should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking.
- i made home made salsa and stewed tomatoes in august and i opened a jar last week (October) and it exploded over the jar like pop would if shaken. is it safe to eat?
- Do not eat! The salsa may not have been correctly processed or there may be a chemical reaction between the acid in the tomato and the container if you used a metal can. It is not worth the risk to consume it.
- After preparing preserves such as marinated vegetables in vinegar like green relish for hamburger, etc., I have noticed that some jars did not seal correctly. So I decided to put all the jars in a ventilated cold room. Is it necessary or the jars that sealed properly did not have to be stored there? Is there a risk to refrigerate the well sealed jars considering the fact that the relish contains a lot of vinegar? Thank you!
- It sounds like the product has been underprocessed. Did you use a boiler water canner? The jars have not sealed properly, so air and bacteria may get into the product, or may have survived your pickling process. They are not safe to eat. Throw out all jars that did not seal properly.
- I would like to know if I can freeze a zucchini pie I am making, a few days before thanksgiving. The ingredients are zucchini, eggs, biscuit, parmesan cheese, swiss on the bottom or gruyere, oil, and slice tomato on the top.Should I put the tomatoes on after freezing? I thank you very much for answering my question. Nov 14, 2007
- Assuming this is a baked, then frozen pie, water from the zucchini may make the crust soggy, but it will be safe to eat. Reheating the pie may remove some of the moisture. Add the tomatoes after to prevent moisture loss.
- I am baking one acorn squash for dinner but only will eat half tonight. Is it best to cook both halves and refrigerate the uneaten half or just cook the one half and refrigerate the uncooked/uneatean half? Thank you
- Cutting vegetables exposes more surfaces to potential contamination. You can cook both halves or cook within 2 days of cutting. If you will not be eating the other half within 2 days, cook it until soft, then freeze.
- how long is opened refridgerated prune juice good for?
- Opened prune juice may be stored refrigerated for 8 - 12 days.
- An opened container of prune juice; how long would it keep in the refrigerator?
- Open juices will keep for 8 - 12 days in the refrigerator.
- how long can a fresh turkey be stored in frig before cooking
- If the fresh turkey has a manufacturer's Best Before Date, follow that date and cook turkey before the Best Before Date. If your turkey has a "packaged on" date, cook the turkey within 2 days of that date.
- Can you cook sweet potatoes in the oven and then leave them sitting out overnight on the counter to then be used in a sweet potato casserole the next day?
- Absolutely not. Your cooked sweet potatoes should be refrigerated once they are done. Leaving them at room temperature would allow bacterial spores not destroyed by heat to germinate and grow in the potatoes. Those bacteria could be harmful, they could produce toxins that would not get destroy by subsequent cooking and they can make you sick.
- 1. How long does fresh tomato juice last if put in the fridge...How long does fresh ginger , garlic paste remain if put in the fridge .Thanks
- Open juice will last 8 - 12 days, but if it's canned, store it in glass or plastic. Fresh ginger will last 2 weeks refrigerated, garlic paste will last 2 weeks.
- My family and I ate mashed potatoes(w/cream & butter) that had been left out on the counter all night. My mom thought it would be ok to serve but they tasted very bitter. I feel fine today but could they make me sick?
- Mashed potatoes are a perishable food product that does require refrigeration, and should not be left unrefrigerated any longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour during the summer). Do not eat them as they may cause food illness.
- I received various packaged cheese as a gift. It probably had been in shipment for a week and the cheese was very soft when it arrived. Will the cheese be OK to eat?
- Check the label of your cheeses for storage instructions. With the exception of some processed cheese, most cheese should be kept refrigerated or the quality and safety may deteriorate. If in doubt, throw them out.
- Hi! Here is my question. Is it unsanitary to use a bread crust to absorb all the juice from a salad in a bowl so the whole sandwich loaf would not get soggy once prepared. Thank you!
- I'm not sure what you are asking, but you can use the bread crust to absorb any liquid.
- How long past the due date is it okay to drink canned pop?
- For best quality and safety, canned pop should be consumed by its Best Before Date. This is true too to diet soft drinks as the artificial sweetener will have tendencyh to breakdown in time giving the soft drink a bad taste.
- Is it possible to peel a large number of potatoes, soak them in cool water, refrigerate them for 6 days then cook them in order to make mash potatoes?
- 6 days would be too long to hold the peeled potatoes as they would begin to spoil and discolor. For best quality and food safety, the potatoes may be peeled and stored refrigerated in water up to 1 day in advance.
- Last night I made homemade cream of broccoli soup for a group. I left it out all night by accident. It contains cooked broccoli, carrots, onion, cream, cream of mushroom soup, and butter. When I discovered it this morning on the counter, it was barely warm---I tested with a meat thermometer and it was around 200 degrees. Is it still safe?
- It is very important to cool soup quickly and refrigerate it. When left at room temperature longer than two hours there is a risk it would become contaminated with harmful bacteria that would multiply and cause food poisoning. The soup should be discarded.
- A friend of my Mom's work in a distribution center. He gave her several case of Orange, Pineapple, & Banana juice that is pasteurized. My Mom gave me a couple of cases. The bottom was wet like one of the juices had sprung a leak; but upon closer inspection I came to the conclusion that they had been refrigerated and had been left sitting out. If you put the juice back in the fridge and get them cold again, are they OK to drink?
- Your juice may not be safe to drink. Juices which are sold refrigerated would have less processing than canned juices and require constant refrigeration. If they were left at room temperature longer than two hours, they may not be safe to drink.
- We have purchased lettuce that has been frozen. Can we cousume it without any risks?
- Because of the high water content in lettuce, it does not freeze well, and would be very soggy once thawed. Try using it in soups, or recipes that require cooking the lettuce if you want to consume it.
- I found some orange juice that expired 10 months ago. Although it was never opened, I poured it down the sink. What is the proper way to dispose of juice? Pat
- There is no reason to believe there was anything harmul in the juice, so the drain was fine. I could recommend to clean the sink after dumping the juice.
- Can I prepare my sandwiches now and freeze them until our Christmas buffet? Thank you!
- Some foods freeze very well, others do not (some vegetables, mayonnaise, cream cheese, etc.) so it will depend on what you are serving.
- i need to prepare macaroni salad for the holiday take some to mother in law for christmas eve and have some here at the house on christmas day can i make it on sunday with christmas eve being mon will it still be ok on tues. also can i make my ham on sunday for tues.
- As long as your ingredients are fresh and are kept refrigerated at all time, it will be safe to prepare your macaroni salad on Sunday and use it by Christmas. Storage time should be between 3 to 5 days. If you have a long distance to go to your mother-in-law on Christmas eve, use a cooler with ice packs. As for the ham, once cooked, it should keep in the refrigerator for 6 to 7 days, so it will be all right to cook it Sunday and serve Tuesday.
- Can I make my broccoli casserole today and leave it in the refrigerator overnight will it be okay to cook tomorrow?
- As long as the ingredients are all cold, it should be safe to assemble a broccoli casserole one day and cook it the next day.
- how long can boiled sweet poatatoes be left in fridge?
- Cooked sweet potatoes can be refrigerated 3 to 4 days.
- I boiled and deboned chicken on Thurs. night. I put the chicken in the fridge, but didn't have room in the fridgerator for the big stainless steel pot with the broth in it. I put the broth in the garage, which is 50 degrees and cooler. Is it safe to eat 3 days later not getting above 50 degrees?
- The broth would not be safe to use if stored for longer than two hours above 40 degrees F/4 degrees C which is the temperature that should be your refrigerator. Broth can be stored in the refrigerator for two to three days.
- We received a juicer for Christmas. We love making fresh juices, but no where in the literature that came with the juicers is a guideline on how long we can store fresh juice in the refrigerator. We like the convenience of making larger batches of fresh juice (it came with a large juice storage jug) but are concerned about the juice turning on us since it is fresh / not pasteurized. I'm guessing that citrus juices might last longer due to their acidic nature? We make Orange, apple/nectarine/grape, apple, carrot, almost anything! Can we make large batches and store? How long would they last? Or would we be better off making small batches and consuming immediately? In our recent searches for answers we've also read that non-processed juices are dangerous to the young and old - are these fresh juices safe for our young three year old?
- Juices which are not pasteurized can carry or support the growth of harmful bacteria that can make anybody sick especially your three year old. So when making juice from fresh produce, use undamaged fruits and vegetables. Do not use produce that has signs of mould. Fresh juice should be refrigerated and consumed as soon as possible. Yes, citrus juices will last longer. They can be refrigerated two to three days.
- Is it safe to eat the papaya if the skin is moldy? Can I just cut off the moldy skin?
- Mould will travel throughout a soft fruit like papaya so what you see is like the tip of an iceberg. Some moulds contain toxins that make you sick and others are thought to be carcinogenic.
- I have vegetable lasagna from 1-1-08 that is in the refrigerator. Will it still be good to eat on 1-7?
- Leftover vegetable lasagna may be safely stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- I am making homemade french fries and would like to cut them up ahead of time, like 3 hours, what can I do to keep them from discolouring?
- Try blanching them in boiling salted water for 1 -2 minutes.
- I purchased 2 pounds of Oldani Italian Salami from our local butcher shop on 12-26-07. They opened a fresh roll from the box it came in.(wrapped in Wax and string attached $12.99 per lb!) When should I discard it?I still have a few slices in the fridge and was thinking of puttiong it on top of a Pizza.January 11, 2008
- Sliced salami should be used or frozen within seven days.
- I peeled and sliced old potatoes last night in preparation for a meal tonight. I placed them in a ziplock with canola oil. This morning, I noticed that they are a bit brown. Are they still okay to cook tonight?
- Yes, you can cook them tonight. This is a natural reaction between oxygen and enzymes in the potato, known as enzymatic browning. You can prevent this by blanching them for a few minutes in boiling salted water.
- What happens when the Best Before Date of a bottle water has gone by?
- The producer of your bottled water guarantees the quality of the product until the Best Before Date. After that, there may be some gradual loss of quality and eventually food safety problems may develop.
- How long does cream cheese stay good once opened in the refrigerator?
- A package of opened cream cheese, if properly wrapped and refrigerated, should be good until the Best Before Date.
- How long can a purchased jar of salsa be stored in the refigerator after opening? How long can jam be store after opening? Thanks!
- Commercially processed salsa may be stored in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks after opening. Jam may be stored in the refrigerator up to 6 months after opening.
- How long can we keep can soups?
- Low acid canned foods (split pea, cream of mushroom, corn, peas etc.) may be safely stored in your cupboard for 2 -5 years if not exposed to extreme heat or cold. High acid foods (tomato soup, canned fruit, anything with added vinegar or lemon, etc.) will keep for 12 - 18 months.
- I use to own a food business and brought home some sealed Salsa containers. The expiry was Dec 06 however they remained unsealed through Dec 07. I tried some and it tasted great. Is this not advisable even though it appeared to smell and taste fresh?
- Commercially processed salsa has a shelf life of 1 year (unopened). There may be loss of quality or nutrition after that time. It is best to use food by its best before date. Pathogenic (illness causing) bacteria often do not make the food taste or smell bad.
- How long can cooked, covered spaghetti squash still in the shell last in the refrigerator?
- You should try to eat the leftover squash within 3 - 4 days or freeze it.
- Is there another way to store bought jam without refrigerating it?
- If the jam has not been opened, you may store it in the pantry. Once opened though, the best place to store jam is in the refrigerator. Refrigeration will prolong the shelf life of the jam by significantly slowing down mould growth.
- I purchased a large bottle of lemon juice and have kept it refrigerated since the date of purchase. I checked the best before date and it said December 27th. Can I use it? It has never been opened and only purchased it a few months ago. Thank you.
- The best before date on the bottle is a guarantee of quality, wholesomeness and nutrition. After that date, any or all of these attributes may be compromised.
I would like to know how one determines expiry dates on foods, are they mathematical determinations or is there somewhere I can go look for these dates? Thank you in advance.
- Only infant formula and drugs have true expiry dates. Best before dates are determined by the manufacturers that make the food, based on shelf life studies. In Canada, the law requires that all food that it is know to last 90 days or less must have an expiry date showing on the packaging. Other foods are left at the manufacturer's discrétion.
- I prepared a lasagna last Wednesday morning for my boyfriend. It has been in hte refrigerator since. Can he est it today (saturday). Thank you!
- The prepared lasagna would keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. It should be safe to eat by your boyfriend. Make sure that it is heated up to an internal temperature of 74 degrees C (165 degrees F)
- I left a dish of cooked lasagna out overnight that was covered and sealed with alum. foil. Is it ok to still eat it?
- Cooked lasagna left at room temperature longer than two hours in the winter (one hour in the summer) may not be safe to eat because harmful bacteria may have developed. It should be throwm out.
- How long can we keep hard boiled eggs before eating them?
- Hard cooked eggs can be refrigerated as long as one week.
- I cooked a zucchini pie for passover and want to know how long it will be safe in the fridge?.
- The zucchini pie will be safe for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- What should I do if I find a bulging can (in this case fruit cocktail) that has leaked out on the shelf and the liquid has gotten on the surrounding cans? I am petrified of botulism poisoning. If the liquid gets on my skin is it harmful? How should I clean it up? Will a clorox solution kill the toxin on the shelf?
- You can go ahead and clean the shelf without contracting botulinum toxin through your skin because there would be no toxin present. Fruit cocktail are considered to be high acid food and will not support the growth of botulism bacteria. What you experimented here is a chemical reaction between the content and the inside wall of the can where there will be gas produced (called hydrogen swell) in the can accompanied by pressure that will make the can to swell and eventually leaked. This phenomenon happens with time. Botulism microorganisms cannot grow in an acid environment so what you will be cleaning is the sweet solution made of the fruit syrup coming from the can. Just throw the can away and examine any other cans that you might have.
- I have some frozen raspberries from which the expiry date has passed. Can I still eat them?
- If the raspberries have been purchased that way and you have kept them that way, there should not be any problem to consume them. It is possible that they would less in quality because of the freezing abuse (dryness, freezer burns) but they should be okay to eat. Jsut make sure that you thaw them in the refrigerator
- I would like to know how to prepaer a dressing for a potato salad? Thanks!
- Your question is not realted to food safety and I do not answer questions related to recipes, To obtain a recipe for a potato salad dressing, please consult the internet.
- I want to refreeze previously frozen juice that has been kept very cold - is it ok to refreeze?
- You can refreeze that juice if it has not been temperature abused. The quality of the product might be different the second time around.
- Hi, I made homemade southern chow chow (2 Jars) cooked ingredients on the stove 20 mins then packed them to 1/8 top and sealed them while they were hot. They both are sealed well but as I read this recipe it did not call for water bath processing at all. So do I have to refrigerate or do I throw them out due to not processing them? I investigated other recipes and they called for processing time. Or can they be placed in the fridge instead of the processing? I am very confused I would be glad if you can straighten me out. I am very new to this home canning thing and have no pressure canning equipment yet and am trying to get by with what i can in the water bath method. Thank You!
- Home canning food other than fruit preserves could be hazardous if the food is not processed with the proper equipment. In your case, your 2 jars of chow chow would have to be kept refrigerated and consumed as soon as possible because you did not achieve commercial sterility and you could have harmful bacteria that could grow with time and make you very sick. Whenever you follow a recipe, make sure that you have the equipment to do it and follow it meticulously.
- Sandwiches made with miracle whip & tuna, egg salad, salmon salad - how long are they safe to eat? Thanks
- Those sandwiches should keep in the refrigerator for two days.
- Is venky's ready to eat chicken salami once thawed completely and then frozen safe to eat?
- Once meat is completely thawed it should not be refrozen against because there are risks that harmulf bacteria may multiply and cause food poisoning. It should be all consumed once completely thawed.
- I left a jar of opened jam out overnight by mistake. Is it still okay?
- Usually, jam contains a large quantities of sugar and might be on the acid side, limiting if not eliminating the growth of harmful bacteria. However, being left at room temperature for a long time might accelerate its spoilage by allowing the growth of mold and yeasts which are readily visible when present in the jam.
- Ca we freeze ginger?
- Yes, ginger can be frozen!
- I prepared a recipe with hamburg, velveeta cheese, salsa and miracle whip. I put the leftovers in a glass jar and froze it. Once thawed, will it be safe to eat?
- As long as you thaw it in the refrigerator it will be safe to eat. You might need to do some mixing as the miracle whip might have tendency to separate while thawing but it will still be good.
- Can I use rapid rise yeast for bread machines in a jar that was left out unrefrigerated opened for 24 hours?
- You should be able to use the yeasts without encountering any problems. With the presence of humidity, the yeast should be viable and take over to make the bread.
- I would like to blend stawberry preserve and cream cheese to be served in my cafe how long will it stay fresh after mixing together?
- The mixture will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Can potato salad with Kraft Miracle Whip dressing on it stored in an aluminum foil pan overnight? It is for a buffet for 45 people the next day. How many potatoes to cook for this amount of people? Thanks
- As long as you refrigerate it, it should be fine. However, you should not use an aluminium foil pan because the acidity of the salad dressing might react with the aluminium rendering the pan dark and possibly giving the salad a strange test. You should use a glass or a plastic pan instead. If you are using good handling practices while preparing the potato salad and you make sure that it is refrigerated right after preparation, it will be safe to eat the day after but maybe not from a foil pan. For 45 people, figure close to one regular size potato per person. With other food, guests would have tendency to take a spoonful or two of the potato salad. Better to have a little bit more than less.
- When serving sauerkraut how long can it be keeped hot before spoiling?
- If the temperature is above 60 degrees C (140 degrees F), it will keep the time needed for the meal and it will eventually overcooked and get muchy. However if you are not sure of the hot temperature or you are not measuring it, 2 hours maximum because it could go lower than 60 degrees C (140 degrees F) and be exposed to the danger zone. More then 2 hours and there will be risk of food poisoning.
- How can I keep peaches and strawberries in the refrigerator ti use them later on? Thank you!
- Ther is no micracle solution to extend the shrlf life of peaches and strawberries kept in the refrigerator. Take them as fresh as possible. Peaches (one week) will keep much longer than strawberries (2 to 3 days) in the refrigerator. Keep both fruits in an opened container to avoid dampness accumulation that would accelerate their deterioration.
- We have small cans of sunsweet prune juice which we are giving to our grandchild whom is 4 months old per his Doctor for proper bowel movements. Once we open the can - can we store opened but covered can unrefridged or should we refridgerate what is left in can? Thank you
- Once the can has been opened, the juice has to be refrigerated but do not leave the juice in the can especially when the child is that young. Transfer it carefully to a clean glass or plastic container and refrigerate promptly. Do not keep the leftover juice in the refrigerator for more than 4 days.
- I am making macaroni salad for a large crowd. Can I use an aluminum pan to serve this in? I was told that I could not.
- The person who told you that might be right. The acidity of the macaroni salad will react with the aluminium tarnishing the pan and most likely allowing leaching of the aluminium into the food and that would be a growing reality if the macaroni salad stays in the pan for a long period of time.
- I boiled potatoes with the skins on and left them out to cool all night. Can I still use them? I made them at 10 pm and was cooling them. It's now 8:30 am. I'm making potato salad.
- The fact that you have boiled potatoes rendered them soft and become an excellent medium for bacterial growth. They should not be consumed as they spent more than 2 hours at room temperature. And especially the fact that you want to make potato salad. The risk is even greater. They should have been cooled down in the refrigerator.
- How long will cut cucumbers and cut sweet peppers keep in the vegetable humidity drawer of the fridge. These items are stored seperately.
- Cut vegetables have a shelf life much shorter than the whole vegetables as their integrity gets damaged and exposed to their environment. Those cut cucumbers and sweet peppers would keep for three to for days in the refrigerator.
- What sources do you give for home-canning information?
- Home canning has to be done in a safe manner otherwise you risk to poison your family and yourself. We recommend to consult the internet such as Bernardin for reliable recipes and recommendations.
http://www.homecanning.com/can/
- I have made potato salad for a friend and want to take it to her in an aluminum pan. She can transfer it to glass dish later. Is the aluminum pan safe for potato salad?
- An aluminium pan could be used for transferring the food from one place to another but it should not stay in it for a long period of time (same day transfer; not overnight or later). The acidity of the potato salad with mayonnaise in it could react with the pan tarnishing it and allowing some leaching.
- Should I wash rasberries before eating them?
- Any fruits should be washed before consumption even the ones that need to be peeled before. I know that raspberries do not like to be handle roughly as they seem to come apart. Go gently with them and try to use a delicate spray of water over them instead of shaking them up under running tap water.
- How long may i leave chicken broth in glass containers ? thanks!
- Chicken broth put in a glass jar in the refrigerator should keep for three to four days.
- There's no expiry date on tomato juice or Clamato juice. How long are they good for if unopened? and after they are opened? Thanks.
- According to the regulations, there is no need to put an expiry date on those products since their shelf life is greater than 90 days. An unopened container of tomato juice or Clamato juice would keep for 4 to 6 months. Once opened and refrigerated both juices would keep for two weeks.
- I have a zucchini that has set on my counter for one week. Is it OK to use for zucchini bread if it is still firm even though I didn't refrigerate it? Thanks.
- If the zucchini is firm and doesn't have any signs of spoilage, it should be okay to use. Make sure that it is washed before use.
- Hi some yogurts that should have been stored in the fridge were left out on the side of a hot kitchen for over 48 hours. I said these should be thrown out not given to the elderly people they were intended for but they chose to ignore me and gave them to them anyway! Was I right and how soon after eating would food poisoning occur. Many thanks!
- You are right. Elderly people are considered to be a group at risk when it comes to food poisoning. Their sensitivity is much greater and as such, they should not be exposed to foods that have been temperature abused meaning that perishable foods left at room temperature for more than two hours, one hour in the summer; instead of being refrigerated. Food poisoning could take place anywhere between hours after the food has been consumed to a week. Such practices should never take place. They should be reported to health authorities.
- Is it okay to store un-opened cans of kidney beans and tuna for example in the frig, since we like them cold when we want to use them? Thank you for your fine work!
- There should not be any problem to sore those cans on the short term. Check them out or rotate your stock regularly to make sure that they will not rust with possible dampness built-up.
- I am 51/2 months pregnant, I feel afraid of fresh produce due to listeria and toxoplasmosis. How do I remove these things from my fruits and vegetables?
- The best way to remove those microorganisms is to wash them under running cold water using your hands and gently rubbing them. Do not use any chemicals such as chlorine as they could leave a residu.
- Can we eat drid fruits that show presence of worms? How about rice with some insects in it?
- It is not recommended to eat dried fruits with worms on them or rice with insects. If those foods are accidently consumed, it would probalby not make the person sick but presence of those worms ans insects are signs of infestation and give an idea of the age of the food. They should be thrown out.
- Is it possible to freeze alaska mellon or cantalope for winter use.
- It is possible to freeze those food commodities but once they thawed out, they will quite soft and a whole lot of water will come out of them. They would be perfect if they were used frozen in a dessert preparation such as shakes, ice cream or sherberts.
- I have steam cooked a cabbage and put it in the refrigerator for a week. Can we still use it to make stuffed cabbages?
- It is possible that the cabbage might not be good to eat anymore as the cooking process might have made the cabbage more susceptible to an accelerated spoilage by bacteria comparing to its raw state kept in the refrigerator.
- How long do egg salad, ham salad, chicken salad sandwiches keep in the refrigerator once made? How long do cold cut sandwiches keep in the refrigerator?
- The egg salad, ham salad and chicken salad sandwiches as well as cold cut sandwiches will keep overnight in the refrigerator. If prepared the night before, they will have to be consumed the day after pending that they are kept refrigerated at all time.
- I have several bottles of POM juice(pmegranate juice ). They are unopened but have passed the use by date. Is it still safe to consume? Does the use by date mean for "best" quality and nutrition. I hate to throw them out as they are $4.99 each.
- I cannot recommended the consumption of expired food. Manufacturers will put a date following marketing test where they would be able to determine the shelf life of their products. Usually passing that date, the product will be poor in quality and at time could present some safety issues depending of the type of food. In your case once you open a bottle, it will go fast as count of mold and yeasts will be ready to take over fast.
- How long can you keep apples out on the counter before you eat them, or should they always be refrigerated?
- The apples will keep much longer if they are refrigerated. If they are fresh in season and are in a perforated plastic bag, they will keep in the refrigerator for 2 months. If they are off season, they will keep in hte refrigerator for only 2 weeks.
- Hi! I have baked a chicken pâté and I would like to know for how long can I let it cool down on the counter before putting it in the refrigerator? Thank you!
- The chicken pâté should be placed in the refrigerator as soon as possible. If the pâté is too hot, let it cool down on the counter for 30 minutes. After that, even if it is still warm, put it directly in the refrigerator.
- Hi! I made a homebaked apple pie. Tomorrow, I am going to my mother's who lives 45 minutes away by car and I was wondering if I can leave the pie at room temperature from 6 pm to 3:30 pm the next day or put it in the refrigerator and travel with it for 45 minutes in hte heat of the car? Thank you!
- It is your choice. The pie will keep during that time at room temperature but if you think that you will be traveling by car in a hot day, I would recommend to put it in the refrigerator. That way, it will make it to your mother's as if it was freshly made.
- How long cut boletus would keep in the refrigerator?
- Cut boletus will keep under refrigeration for 5 days.
- How many times is it safe to reheat leftovers & put it back in the refrigerator & on & on?
- It could depend of the food commodity. In general as you repeat reheating leftovers, the quality of the food will diminish and you would risk to contaminate the food or allow bacterial growth to take place while the food goes from hot to cold and suffer from food poisoning.
- I left a container of previously opened Creamy Cucumber salad dressing on the counter for approximately 24 hrs. Should I throw it out?
- I would imagine that the bottle would indicate on its label to keep refrigerated after opening. It has been out of the refrigerator for too long. Throw it out!
- How do we freeze pumpkin? Thank you!
-
Wash, cut into quarters or smaller pieces, and remove seeds. Cook pumpkin pieces until soft in boiling water, in steam, in a pressure cooker or in an oven. Remove pulp from rind and mash or press it through a sieve.
To cool, place pan containing pumpkin in cold water, stirring occasionally.
Pack into containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Seal, label and freeze.
- When bananas get too old to eat I throw them in the freezer. I took them out to thaw, a few days ago with the intention of making banana bread, however, are they bad now? It has been approx 4 days now out of the freezer?
- Your bananas might be way to old to use now. Once thaw, they should have been used as quick as possible. They must be very muchy now and could be covered with mould. I would suggest to throw them out.
- I have potatoes, beets, red and green cabbages, butternut and spaghetti squashes that froze in my cold room. Can we still eat them or are they no good anymore for consumption?
- Most of your vegetables can be recuperate by using them in cooked recipes. However, it is possible that potatoes would not be as appealing and might have turn black. You might need to throw them out.
- My refrigerator was left slightly open over night. Everything on the top two shelfs was warm from the light. My question is: if the bottom two shelves had things that were still cool but not cold, are they OK, or should I discard everything (cheese, deli meat, refrigerated pudding etc)?
- Food that are usually perishable should have been kept at 4 degrees C (40 degrees f) or less at all time. Deli meat for sure should be thrown out. If the cheese is a hard cheese, it should be fine. Whole fruits and vegetables should be fine as well. If the refrigerated pudding were purchased refrigerated, they should be thrown out as well if not, they should be fine. Condiments such as relish, mustard, ketchup should be fine as well.
- Can I use the good part of a winter squash that have mouldy parts to prepare jams or is the part not covered by mould is no good for consumption in jams?
- It is not recommended to use what looks like to be a good part of the winter squash from a mouldy one. Moulds visible on the surface are known to have an underground network similar to roots of a tree that would affect the rest of the squash. Furthermore, mould are know to produce mycotoxins that would migrate through the squash. Some of those toxins are known to have potential to trigger cancer.