The festive season has come and gone, leaving us with mountains of Christmas leftovers in the fridge that are just begging to be indulged in. But hold on! Before you dive into that delectable turkey sandwich or munch on some leftover cheese, think again. Chef Jason Goldstein cautions that relying solely on your sense of smell or taste to determine if food has gone bad is not a surefire method. Surprisingly, even spoiled food may not give off a foul odour or taste bad. Talk about a shocker!

It seems that more and more holiday-goers are returning home only to discover that their parents’ refrigerators are stocked with expired foods. This unsettling trend has gained momentum this holiday season, as evidenced by a viral TikTok video featuring a young woman who stumbled upon sesame oil in her mother’s fridge that had expired way back in February of 2015. To make matters worse, she also found a bottle of hot sauce that expired in August 2018. Double trouble indeed!

So, the vital question on everyone’s lips is: should we tuck into those Christmas leftovers or not? Chef Jason Goldstein offers some much-needed insight. According to him, relying on our senses to judge the safety of food isn’t a wise move. “It all depends on the type of bacteria present,” Goldstein warns. So, it’s best not to blindly trust our noses or taste buds on this matter.

In case you’re curious, the chef has some handy guidelines on how long different types of foods can last in the fridge. Apparently, meat and chicken are good for three or four days, while fish should be consumed within three days. As for cheese, it can hang in there for up to one week. Who knew?

But wait, there’s more – there’s a method to the madness of storing food. Goldstein recommends steering clear of plastic containers, which are porous and more prone to contamination. Instead, opt for glass containers to keep those Christmas leftovers as fresh as can be.

So, before you go delving into those Christmas leftovers, take a moment to reconsider. And remember, just because it looks and smells ok, doesn’t mean it is! Be mindful of what you’re munching on – it’ll pay off in the long run. Your stomach will certainly thank you later. Cheers to safe and delicious holiday feasting!