Health Tip: Keep Takeout Meals Safe

Even if you've taken a night off from cooking and have called for takeout, it's still important to practice food safety.

The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service offers these suggestions:

• Never allow food to sit at room temperature for longer than two hours. Time is reduced to one hour if outside in temperature greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Keep hot foods at a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Cold foods should be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Use a food thermometer to make sure food is kept hot. Use chafing dishes or slow cookers if you don't plan to eat right away.
• If food won't be eaten within two hours, use shallow storage containers and refrigerate.
• Throw away all food that hasn't been properly stored.