Leftovers that are potentially hazardous should be used or discarded within how many hours?

• A. 24 hours
• B. 72 hours
• C. 12 hours
• D. 48 hours

Answer: (A)

Potentially hazardous leftovers are most dangerous because they can harbor and multiply bacteria if kept too long. To minimize risk, use or discard these leftovers within 24 hours after cooking. This guideline assumes they’re stored properly in a refrigerator, since cooling slows bacterial growth, but waiting longer than a day increases the chance of illness. If you can’t use them within 24 hours, it’s safest to discard them.