United Kingdom · Practical storage decision
Cold storage is not a timed experiment
Keep the fridge between 0 and 5°C. If a food has been stored warm, moving it back into the fridge does not erase its previous time at higher temperatures.
Reheat leftovers thoroughly
When reheating prepared foods, ensure they become steaming hot throughout, not just warm on the outside. Stir microwave dishes where suitable to prevent cold spots.
Do not estimate a safe threshold from one reading
A single thermometer reading, smell test or calendar date does not reveal all the earlier temperatures. Follow use-by instructions and discard food whose handling is uncertain.
Related UK guidance: Explore the relevant storage instructions →
Scope: The linked FSA household guidance primarily applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For Scotland, check Food Standards Scotland as well. This explanation does not determine whether any individual food is safe.
Official source: Food Standards Agency guidance on GOV.UK ↗
← All UK food storage guides