Cooked poultry leftovers stored at 40°F (4°C) or below should be used within how many days?

Cooked poultry leftovers stored at 40°F (4°C) or below should be used within how many days?

• A. 1–2 days
• B. 3–4 days
• C. 5–7 days
• D. 8–10 days

Answer: (B)

The safe storage window for cooked poultry leftovers in the fridge is three to four days. Refrigeration at 40°F (4°C) or below slows bacterial growth, but it doesn’t stop it entirely, so extending leftovers beyond about four days increases the risk of foodborne illness even if there are no obvious signs of spoilage. To keep food safe, chill leftovers promptly (within 2 hours) in shallow containers, store them in the refrigerator, and reheat to at least 165°F before eating. If you won’t use them within 3–4 days, freezing can extend their life, though quality may decline over time. The other options are either too short or too long to be safe according to standard guidelines.

The safe storage window for cooked poultry leftovers in the fridge is three to four days. Refrigeration at 40°F (4°C) or below slows bacterial growth, but it doesn’t stop it entirely, so extending leftovers beyond about four days increases the risk of foodborne illness even if there are no obvious signs of spoilage. To keep food safe, chill leftovers promptly (within 2 hours) in shallow containers, store them in the refrigerator, and reheat to at least 165°F before eating. If you won’t use them within 3–4 days, freezing can extend their life, though quality may decline over time. The other options are either too short or too long to be safe according to standard guidelines.