Eating old leftovers is always a gamble. Food that has been sitting out for too long can grow harmful bacteria and make you sick. So how long is too long when it comes to eating leftovers like burritos? Here is a comprehensive look at the safety and risks of eating a 3 day old burrito.
The Potential Risks
There are a few main risks associated with eating a burrito that is 3 days old:
- Bacterial growth – Leftovers left at room temperature provide ideal conditions for bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus to multiply quickly. These bacteria can cause food poisoning symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
- Mold growth – Burritos contain tortillas, rice, beans, cheese, etc. which can all grow mold after a few days. Eating moldy food can cause allergic reactions and respiratory irritation in some people.
- Toxin formation – Some bacteria produce heat-stable toxins that are not destroyed by reheating. If bacteria have produced toxins in your old burrito, just cooking it again won’t make it safe.
- Textural changes – Even if bacteria are killed off by reheating, 3 day old burritos often have an unappetizing soggy or dried out texture.
Factors that Increase the Risks
There are a few key factors that can increase the health risks of eating a 3 day old burrito:
- Improper storage – Leaving a burrito out on the counter or forgetting it in a hot car allows bacteria to multiply rapidly. Storing in the fridge helps slow bacteria growth.
- Ingredients – Items like guacamole, dairy products, and anything with mayonnaise spoil more quickly and raise the risk.
- Cooking method – Pre-cooked vs. freshly assembled burritos have different risks. Pre-cooked ones just need reheating, while raw meats and eggs in homemade ones create more hazards.
- Takeout packaging – Bacteria can still multiply even in closed takeout containers. Storage in reusablecontainers isideal.
- Reheating method – Microwaving to 165°F kills more bacteria than just a quick zap.
The 3 Day Danger Zone
The “danger zone” for bacterial growth in foods is between 40°F and 140°F. Leaving foods in this temperature range allows bacteria to thrive. After just 2 hours in the danger zone, bacteria can multiply to unsafe levels.
Even when stored in the fridge, opening and closing the door can temporarily bring your burrito into the danger zone. If it has been unrefrigerated for over 2 hours total in the last 3 days, bacteria may have multiplied to unsafe levels.
| Time in Danger Zone | Safety Level |
|---|---|
| Less than 2 hours | Generally safe |
| 2-4 hours | Exercise caution |
| Over 4 hours | High risk |
How to Minimize the Risks
If you want to enjoy those leftovers safely, here are some tips to minimize the risks:
- Refrigerate promptly – Leaving burritos out for more than 2 hours creates opportunities for bacterial growth. Refrigerating limits growth.
- Practice safe storage – Store burritos in sealed airtight containers instead of takeout packaging. Don’t overstuff the fridge, as this reduces airflow.
- Check for off odors or textures – Old burritos may smell bad or feel slimy or dried out. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Reheat thoroughly – Heat to 165°F until hot and steaming to kill bacteria. Microwaves can leave cold spots.
- When reheating, look for any change in texture, smell, taste and discard if necessary.
- Consume within 3-4 days – Even when stored properly in the fridge, burritos should not be kept longer than 3-4 days.
What the Experts Say
Official food safety recommendations caution against eating 3 day old leftovers like burritos. According to the USDA:
- Leftovers should be refrigerated within 2 hours and discarded if left out longer.
- Refrigerated leftovers should be eaten within 3-4 days to prevent harmful bacteria growth.
- Reheating should heat the burrito to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill bacteria.
The FDA also advises against keeping any leftovers longer than 3-4 days. Even when refrigerated, bacteria can still multiply to dangerous levels after several days. Reheating cannot necessarily make a 3 day old burrito safe again if substantial bacterial growth has already occurred.
CDC Recommendations
The CDC estimates that 1 in 6 Americans get sick from contaminated foods or drinks each year. Their recommendations align with other official guidelines:
- Refrigerate perishable leftovers like burritos within 2 hours.
- Use leftovers within 3-4 days, or freeze for longer storage.
- Reheat to 165°F and check that it is steaming hot throughout.
- Throw away leftovers that smell bad or are moldy.
Overall, the CDC, FDA, and USDA all agree that 3 days is the maximum safe timeframe for keeping leftover burritos refrigerated. Beyond that point, harmful bacterial growth becomes more likely.
What About Freezing?
Freezing is a safe long-term storage option. According to food safety experts, burritos can be safely frozen for 2-3 months if stored at 0°F or below. When reheating frozen burritos:
- Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat fully until steaming hot, at least 165°F internal temperature.
- Eat immediately, do not refreeze.
Freezing stops bacteria from multiplying further. But it does not necessarily kill them off. That’s why fully reheating to a hot enough temperature is still critical for safety.
What About Preservatives?
Some people think that preservatives in foods let them stay fresher longer. While preservatives can slow the growth of some bacteria, they do not make food safe indefinitely. Any burrito sitting out for 3 days, whether it contains preservatives or not, can still grow dangerous levels of bacteria.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that any food sitting in the danger zone for bacterial growth (40°F to 140°F) should not be kept for longer than 3-4 days. A burrito that is 3 days old should be discarded, even if you plan to reheat it. The potential risks from bacterial contamination are simply too high.
While an old burrito may look and smell fine, bacteria like Staph, Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli can still be silently multiplying to unsafe levels. Reheating cannot reverse this bacterial growth. So when in doubt, remember the old adage – when in doubt, throw it out! Don’t take risks with your health over leftovers.