If you ordered pizza last night and forgot to put it away, it’s seriously not okay to eat a slice for breakfast. Put your pizza in the fridge - and if your late-night, muddled brain forgot to stow it in a colder place, then we beg of you to throw it away in the morning.
That cardboard box isn’t as protective as you might think. There’s literally zero insulation protecting your hot pizza pie. We’re not sure how or why people started doing this, but it’s time the (somewhat obvious) truth came out: Room temperature and cheese do not go well together. When you leave your pizza out of the fridge and let it sit in your slightly-cool apartment air, you expose it to all kinds of food-borne bacteria and allow that bacteria to fester and grow.
The United States Department of Agriculture advises you not to let cooked food - like pizza or other kinds of takeout - sit at room temperature for more than two hours before throwing it away. This is because pathogenic bacteria - i.e., bacteria that can get you sick - breeds best at temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Unless your apartment is a sub-freezing environment, it’s the perfect storm for food-borne bacteria.
But, you might think, if the pizza looks and smells okay, it’s probably fine.
Nope. This kind of thinking is exactly what’s going to get you ill - pathogenic bacteria do not typically affect the appearance, smell, or even the taste of food. Even if you decide to test your pie with a risky first bite, the germs could go undetected.
If you care at all about your health, say sayonara to the money you spent on that whole pie and toss the lukewarm leftovers. Instead of relying on that stale slice of pizza for breakfast, consider one of these quick, healthy options instead.
FAQs
The USDA reports that bacteria can start taking over your leftovers in as little as 20 minutes. And after two hours, it's deemed unsafe to eat left-out pizza at all. In mild to moderate cases, getting food-borne illnesses from room temperature food means stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
Is pizza safe to eat if left out overnight? ›
Like other perishable foods, pizza that has been at room temperature—or anywhere in the 40°F to 140°F danger zone— for more than two hours should not be consumed, confirms Meredith Carothers, a food safety specialist with the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Can I eat food that was left out overnight? ›
Myth: You shouldn't put hot foods in the refrigerator.
If you leave food out to cool and forget about it after 2 hours, throw it away. Bacteria can grow rapidly on food left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
How to tell if pizza is bad? ›
Wondering how to tell whether your leftover pizza has gone bad? Look for mold or any other odd appearance. If you smell something off or it tastes weird, discard it to be safe.
Is it OK to eat pizza left out for 12 hours? ›
The USDA reports that bacteria can start taking over your leftovers in as little as 20 minutes. And after two hours, it's deemed unsafe to eat left-out pizza at all. In mild to moderate cases, getting food-borne illnesses from room temperature food means stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
Is it safe to eat food left out for 4 hours? ›
Bacteria thrive in temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees and can double every 20 minutes in that “danger zone.” Based on that growth, scientists pinpointed two hours to be the maximum amount of time consumers can safely leave perishable food at room temperature.
How long is too long to leave food out? ›
TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher). This INCLUDES the time they're on the table during your meal. Just ONE bacterium, doubling every 20 minutes, can grow to over 2,097,152 bacteria in 7 hours!
How long does pizza last in room temperature reddit? ›
Online it says that pizza is really only safe for 2 hours at room temp. I recall many times where I have woke up the next day after having company over and there was pizza left out on the table in the box. I'd let the pizza sit there and eat it for dinner after having sat out for 16 hours or so.
Can you eat 3 day old pizza refrigerated? ›
According to the USDA, if the pizza has been refrigerated at a temperature below 40 degrees, its only safe to eat for up to 4 days. The USDA says that after 4 days, you run the risk of getting a food-borne illness, such as Salmonella, norovirus, or other diseases with horrifying Latin names.
How long does food poisoning take to kick in? ›
Illness often starts in about 1 to 3 days. But symptoms can start any time from 30 minutes to 3 weeks after eating contaminated food. The length of time depends on the type of bacteria or virus causing the illness. Each person's symptoms may vary.
Bacterial growth: Leaving pasta out at room temperature provides an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply. Bacteria can double in number every 20 minutes under favorable conditions [2]. Therefore, if the spaghetti was left out overnight, there is a high possibility that bacteria have already started to grow on it.
What temperature kills bacteria in food? ›
The only way to kill bacteria by temperature is by cooking food at temperatures of 165 degrees or more. Bacteria also die in highly acidic environments like pickle juice.
What to do after eating bad pizza? ›
Some examples of what to eat after food poisoning include rice, toast, and clear broths. Clear liquids and drinks that help to rehydrate a person will aid in the recovery process after food poisoning, which occurs when a person eats contaminated or undercooked foods tainted with germs such as Campylobacter, E.
Is doughy pizza safe to eat? ›
Raw dough is very hard to digest. So, eating large quantities of undercooked pizza can lead to digestive issues and severe tummy aches. Moreover, the uncooked dough may harbor bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria which could lead to severe food poisoning.
How can you tell if cheese is bad on pizza? ›
If a mild cheese, like Monterey Jack or American, smells strong, like blue cheese or Limburger, then it's time to throw it away. Cheeses that are naturally pungent, like a blue cheese or Camembert, will have a strong ammonia smell to them once they go bad, similar to cat urine.
How long is pizza good for in the box? ›
Pizza that is delivered and still in the box or delivery bag should remain safe to eat for 2 hours at room temperature. This is because bacteria start to grow when food temperatures reach 40°F (4°C). If you plan on eating your pizza after two hours, it's best to place it in the fridge for storage.
Can I eat a taco that was left out overnight? ›
According to food safety guidelines, perishable foods shouldn't stay at room temperature for more than two hours. Beyond that, bacteria can start to party, making your food not safe to eat.
How long can cheese sit out? ›
The type of cheese is the biggest consideration - hard cheese will last longer and is less likely to pose a health risk, while soft and fresh cheeses should remain refrigerated and only be left out for two hours at most. No matter the cheese, leaving it out for more than two hours may change the quality and taste.
