Food safety
Refrigerate perishables within two hours
Note the time and refrigerate cooked or purchased perishable food within two hours.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-20
Why it matters
Bacteria multiply at room temperature, and later chilling does not remove the risk already created.
Wrong action
Unsafe: Leaving food on the table overnight and refrigerating it later.
Correct action
Note the time and refrigerate cooked or purchased perishable food within two hours.
What to do
- Wash hands and prepare clean utensils first.
- Note the time and refrigerate cooked or purchased perishable food within two hours.
- Divide into small shallow containers for quick cooling; if late, follow the two-hour/four-hour rule. Afterward, record the time, temperature, or storage condition.
If something happens
Seek urgent medical help for severe vomiting, persistent diarrhoea, marked drowsiness, or breathing difficulty; call 999 for breathing difficulty or unconsciousness.
Sources and review
- Centre for Food Safety — Handling Leftovers
Last reviewed: 2026-08-20
This page provides general home-safety information and does not replace medical, legal, electrical, or other professional advice.
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