Tips for Handling Leftovers
- Refrigerate Immediately:
To prevent bacterial growth, refrigerate immediately. Refrigerate even
if product is still warm.
- Small Portions: Leftover
foods should be chilled as soon as possible. Break down large portions
into smaller portions before refrigerating, thus promoting faster chilling.
Do not leave leftovers out to cool down before placing in the refrigerator.
- Hot Tip: Experts strongly
suggest that, when re-heating leftover food, you attain a temperature of
at least 165F to eliminate bacterial growth. Place food in a covered dish
for reheating in a microwave to retain heat and increase the foods temperature.
Use a meat thermometer to check temperatures.
Thawing
- Do not thaw meat or poultry on the counter. Bacteria
can multiply rapidly at room temperature.
- The safest way to thaw meat or poultry is to defrost
it in the refrigerator. Place the package in the refrigerator immediately
after removing it from the freezer.
- Foods that have been thawed in the refrigerator can be
safely refrozen.
- For faster thawing, put the package in a water-tight
plastic bag submerged in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes.
The cold water temperature slows bacterial growth that may occur on the
outer thawed portions while the inner areas are still thawing.
- The microwave oven can be used for quick, safe defrosting.
Follow the manufacturer's directions. Foods defrosted in the microwave
oven should be cooked immediately after thawing.
If you have any questions about Needham,
Inc. or to obtain samples of products, please call:
William Needham or Ann Nelson
(402)344-3820
Fax:(402)342-5567
William Needham - President
Rich Needham - Vice President
Ann Nelson - Account Executive
Jerry Owens - Research & Development
billneedham@classic.msn.com