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. After the fourth day, you should throw your leftovers out, per the Mayo Clinic, as therisk of food poisoning increases after that point. You can also put the food in the freezer to make it last longer.
Bacterial contamination is a common cause of food poisoning (via NHS inform). The tricky thing about bacteria, though, is that you can't always see it unless the food is growing fur or is discolored with blue-green mold. But what about that week-old slice of pizza that still looks pretty good? Unfortunately, it could still be contaminated with bacteria and cause you to get sick if you eat it.
Does this mean you'll automatically get sick if you eat your leftover pizza after the fourth day? No. It just means the risk for illness increases, so you might want to think twice about eating leftover pizza or any other leftover food after four days. According to the CDC, some of the most common food poisoning symptoms include stomach cramps, vomiting, upset stomach, fever, diarrhea, and nausea. With that in mind, you'll have to decide for yourself if it's worth the risk.
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How Long Will Leftover Pizza Stay Fresh? - Daily Meal
