It's also important to note that you should never consume pizza if it has been stored in a fridge for longer than four days. The risk of foodborne illness increases the longer it sits, so make sure you discard any pizza that has been stored for an extended period of time.
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.
No, per USDA standards, you should not eat leftover refrigerated pizza after the 4th day, even if it has been properly stored in the fridge. And even if you could, the 5 day old pizza wouldn't even taste good at this point.
In general, she says all cooked foods and leftovers can be kept in the fridge for no more than three or four days. After that, they could start to spoil and contain bacteria. Jeremy White, editor-in-chief of Pizza Today, shares the same sentiments as Carothers. In fact, he says four days could be pushing it.
According to the USDA, any perishable food left out at room temperature for more than two hours (or for more than an hour if the ambient temperature is above 90°F) should be tossed immediately. When it comes to refrigerated leftovers, the USDA says for most food it's best to eat it within three to four days to be safe.
The USDA's food safety guidelines state that leftover pizza will last in the refrigerator for up to four days — provided the two-hour rule was followed beforehand. To properly refrigerate your leftover pizza, wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container.
It's also important to note that you should never consume pizza if it has been stored in a fridge for longer than four days. The risk of foodborne illness increases the longer it sits, so make sure you discard any pizza that has been stored for an extended period of time.
Bad pizza is generally visibly noticeable
As pizza starts to near the end of its life, it begins to look dry and unappealing. It may even start to smell and have visible mold. In both cases, this leftover pizza should not come near your pie hole.
According to the USDA, if your pizza has been refrigerated at a temperature lower than 40 degrees fahrenheit, its safe to eat up to four days.
As a rule of thumb, Eat This, Not That! reports that any leftover food can be safely eaten for up to four days, assuming it's stored properly. And Consumer Reports states that your fridge should be kept at or below 40 degrees.
Can you reheat leftover pizza? It's safe to reheat pizza the next day, as long as you're heating to a temperature that would kill any bacteria off. So, reheating your pizza in the oven, over a pan or skillet, or in the microwave would all work well.
Hard or dry sausage (such as pepperoni and Genoa salami), whole and unopened, can be stored indefinitely in the refrigerator or up to 6 weeks in the pantry. After opening, refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.
Why pizza thrives in the fridge where other foods flop. Chemistry professor (and fellow pizza lover) Dr. Maureen Cooper explained to BBC that your pizza tastes good cold because its three essential components (dough, tomato sauce, and cheese) keep intact in the fridge.
Bacteria and Foodborne Illnesses
But, there is a method to the madness. If not managed properly, leftover pizza is vulnerable to bacteria growth, which can lead to potential food poisoning. For example, if your pizza has been left sitting out for more than two hours, it isn't safe to eat.
Pizza can become contaminated with bacteria or viruses that cause foodborne illnesses, leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, these infections can even be fatal if left untreated.
When it comes to storing your pizza, you should always take precautions to avoid molding it. If the pizza has a foul odor, you should throw it away. If the crust is slimy and the toppings smell rancid, you should throw away the entire thing. It's essential to keep your food refrigerated at all times.
In terms of food safety, however, so long as you reheat the food at the correct temperature and for the correct duration of time, it can in fact be safely reheated multiple times. However, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends that food is only reheated once, so follow this guidance wherever possible.
Remember the 2-Hour Rule: Discard any perishables left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, unless you're keeping it hot or cold. • If the buffet is held in a place where the temperature is above 90 °F, the safe holding time is reduced to 1 hour.
But, bottom line: put your pizza into the fridge when you're done eating it, and don't keep it for more than a couple days or if it shows obvious signs of spoilage, and most likely you'll be okay. Reheating is not essential.
We recommend baking a refrigerated pizza within 24 hours. Remember to preheat your oven before you start or the pizza won't cook correctly. Bake only one pizza at a time. Make sure the baking tray does not touch the back or sides of the oven.
Stack and wrap
Place a single layer of slices on a dinner plate, top with a layer of wax, freezer, foil, or parchment paper. Keep stacking, alternating pizza and paper, until all the slices are on the plate. Wrap the whole thing tightly up in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. That's it!