Â
When you are living at college, your dorm room is everything; your bedroom, living room and kitchen. When it comes to cooking, most students have access to a microwave and refrigerator. By themselves, these appliances are self-explanatory. However, what is less obvious is how to properly store food in order to avoid foodborne illness. From leaving pizza boxes out all night to storing Chinese takeout for a week, college students are guilty of committing many food crimes. However, with a little knowledge, these offences can easily be avoided.
Baked Goods
With the holidays just around the corner, your roommates are bound to begin baking cookies and other sweet treats. Homemade cookies can be safely stored in an airtight container for up to three days. However, you can keep cookies in the freezer for up to three months, by stacking layers between wax paper in an airtight container. When you are ready to eat them, cookies only take 15 minutes to defrost. Homemade candies stay fresh for two to three weeks in an airtight container, stored in a cool, dry place.  Baked fruit pies and pumpkin pie stay fresh for two to three days. Â
Leftovers
Leftovers, from Chinese takeout to cooked meats, chicken, soup and pizza can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. Luncheon meat and macaroni, egg and tuna salads can last three to five days. Hard cheese, like cheddar and Swiss are safe to eat for three to four weeks after opening the package, while softer cheeses have a shorter shelf span of one week. In terms of holiday meals, only reheat your individual proportion, and do not keep leftovers longer than four days. After this recommended period of time, the risk of getting food poisoning increases with each day.
All About Bacteria
Bacteria in food thrives between 40o and 140o F, which is known as the “danger zone.” In fact, bacteria can double during these temperatures every 20 minutes. Once food has been safely cooked or is removed from its heat source, such as the stove or oven, it needs to be refrigerated within two hours. If you bring food outside for a picnic and it is 90o F or hotter outside, it needs to be refrigerated within one hour. When you store food, make sure to keep it in an airtight container to help keep bacteria and odors out and moisture in. It is important to remember that bacteria are not always visible; it is often colorless and odorless. Unless you put your food under a microscope, you are not going to know if it has gone bad. Therefore, it is best to follow the FDA guidelines to ensure your food is safe to eat, so you can spend less time worrying about food safety and more time enjoying all that your mini fridge has to offer.Â