Is it possible to eat pizza left on the table the night before?

Food safety experts warn against leaving cooked food at room temperature, especially if it's hot.

The pizza will definitely hold up if left out of the refrigerator for a few hours, but it depends on how high the room temperature is. Room temperature – whether it's winter or summer – is a danger zone because bacteria thrive in it. Many people leave leftovers in a box and eat them in the morning, but is it safe?

Pizza is not just bread and tomatoes, ingredients that could easily be left out of the refrigerator, but because it contains cheese, it cannot stay on the kitchen counter for more than 2–3 hours.

While in movies we often see actors opening a box of leftover pizza from the night before and eating the leftovers, it's good to know that in real life, room temperature—whether it's winter or summer—is a danger zone. Some ingredients are more prone to bacterial growth, and a lot depends on the percentage of moisture and protein the product contains.

Baked goods such as bread and cookies are low in protein and moisture, so they can be safely left on the kitchen counter for several days as long as they are stored in a container or clear wrap. But pizza ingredients – sauce, cheeses, sausages, vegetables, etc. – can attract harmful bacteria. Cheese, as a dairy product, is most at risk of food poisoning, as are ingredients such as peppers and mushrooms.

In the case of food poisoning, someone may even end up in the hospital, with symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting or even fever.

How to properly store pizza: oPlace leftover pizza slices in an airtight food container or food bag and store in the refrigerator. It would be nice to write the date on the packaging, as well as Do not leave the product in the refrigerator for more than four days. If you don't think you'll eat it during that time, opt for the freezer, which can keep pizza fresh for up to two months.

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