How long can leftover meat and poultry be stored before it must be discarded?
According to section 3-501.18 of the FDA Food Code, ready-to-eat food should be kept for no more than 7 days at 41°F or 4 days at 45°F. If a dish is prepared from a leftover potentially hazardous ingredient, then the dish containing the leftover ingredient can be held for the remaining time of the leftover ingredient. For example, if cooked chicken has been stored at 41°F for two days and is then used to prepare chicken salad, any leftover chicken salad is good for 5 more days. Of course, you may want to check with your local health department since their requirements may be different. Back To Top Facilities and equipment: • What is a product-mimicking device? A product mimicking device uses wireless sensors that simulate the density and moisture content of real food. These devices are used to measure the temperature of the food via food simulators, but without damaging the actual food product and without having to take the temperature of every food item around it. For example, if you
