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How long cooked food lasts in the fridge before it is no longer safe to eat: Why smelling it is not enough
October 26th, 2026 | Time to Read: 2-3 minutes
The smell test can help you determine whether to keep or toss certain foods. However, it is not foolproof. Read this article to learn the USDA-recommended timeframe for keeping leftovers and how to store them safely. Find more related resources in our Resource Library; filter by the theme “managing leftovers.”