Is it safe to eat? Leftover Basics

We can’t talk about making efficient use of our food budget without talking about leftovers.  And I can’t talk about leftovers (or food, in general) without talking about food safety.  

Whether you’re bringing home extras from a restaurant or planning to have tonight’s home-cooked casserole for lunch tomorrow, remember the basics:

• Get the food out of the Temperature Danger Zone as quickly as possible.  If you’re going bowling or to a movie after a dinner out, you may want to split an entree rather than plan to keep the leftovers.  As you’re watching the magic of Harry Potter, the microorganisms will be casting their own scary spell on your food.
• Label and date leftovers.  Eliminate any confusion about what it is or how long it’s been hanging around.
• Reheat leftovers completely before eating.  According to the USDA, “completely” = 165° F
• When in doubt, throw it out.  Sure, you may be out a few bucks, but it’s better than being out of commission with extreme gastrointestinal discomfort.

You can also check out stilltasty.com for guidance on the shelf lives of specific foods.  And check out this article for general guidance.  

Do you follow guidelines when deciding to eat leftovers?  Or do you simply go by appearance?