How Long Can I Leave Food Out?

People across the Philadelphia area will be lighting up their grill or heading out with a full picnic or just a dish to visit a friend or family member.

Once you leave the confines of your air conditioning and your easy access to a refrigerator and freezer, keeping your food safe becomes more of a challenge.

“Leaving your food out for too long in warm weather can not only make it unappealing to eat, but it can cause serious health issues,” Christine Hurley, a nutrition counselor at Bryn Mawr Hospital, told Patch.

How Long Can Food Stay Out?

“Warm temperatures support the growth of harmful bacteria, which can multiply rapidly,” Hurley said. “Discard any food left out at room temperature for more than two hours and one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees.  When in doubt, throw it out!”

The Food and Drug Administration suggests packing your perishable food in a separate container from your drinks and food you might be snacking on in order to keep your food stored at 40 degrees or colder.

When serving, foods can be kept cooler while out if they are placed directly on ice or in a shallow container filled with ice.

Hot food should be kept at 140 degrees or hotter, according to the FDA. Before serving, it should be wrapped and placed in an insulated container.