Ever wonder if you should throw out that slice of pizza from last night or if it’s still good? Sometimes a simple sniff (or even - blech – taste) test is not as accurate as you’d think it is. Germs can still be growing on our favorite food items, right under our noses and can cause sickness, especially to those most susceptible to infections. Real Simple Magazine advices that we should follow the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration’s guidelines on common food items and their actual expiration dates. Some of their findings may surprise you:

Cooked Meat
Refrigerator: 3 to 4 days
Freezer: 2 to 3 months
Soup
Refrigerator: 3 to 4 days
Freezer: 2 to 3 months

Cooked Fish
Refrigerator: 3 to 4 days
Freezer: 4 to 6 months

For a complete list of items, go to the Real Simple website.

Labels: Tips