Date Effective: _______________________________________________________________________________ Date Revised: ________________________________________________________________________________ Date Reviewed: ______________________________________________________________________________ Approved By: ________________________________________________________________________________ Issuing Department: __________________________________________________________________________
Policy
It is the Foodservice Department’s goal to maximize food usage in order to avoid waste. To this end, certain leftover foods are reused, with restrictions.
Procedures
• Wrap Leftovers Well. Cover leftovers, wrap them in airtight packaging, or seal them in storage containers. These practices help keep bacteria out, retain moisture, and prevent leftovers from picking up odors from other food in the refrigerator. Immediately refrigerate or freeze the wrapped leftovers for rapid cooling.
• Store Leftovers Safely. Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.
• Thaw Frozen Leftovers Safely. Safe ways to thaw leftovers include the refrigerator, cold water, and the microwave oven. Refrigerator thawing takes the longest but the leftovers stay safe the entire time. After thawing, the food should be used within 3 to 4 days or can be refrozen.
• Reheat Leftovers Safely. When reheating leftovers, be sure they reach 165˚F as measured with a food thermometer. Reheat sauces, soups, and gravies by bringing them to a rolling boil. Cover leftovers to reheat. This retains moisture and ensures that food will heat all the way through.