Pizza is a dish of Italian origin. It consists of a flattened disk of dough topped with olive oil, oregano, tomato, olives, mozzarella or another cheese, and many other ingredients.
It is baked quickly and served hot, typically in a commercial setting in a wood-fired oven heated to a very high temperature.
Let’s be honest, okay? At least once in our lives, we’ve all been tempted to eat pizza that wasn’t refrigerated. Most of us have taken a bite, only to finish the entire slice.
Therefore, the most important question is: Is it possible to get sick from eating pizza that has been out overnight?
How you keep it will play a role in this. For example, was it kept cold? If not, was it covered or touched by someone?
In a nutshell, it’s a bad idea to munch on pizza that was left out all night. Any food that has been stored at room temperature for two hours or more should be thrown away, including pizza leftovers, according to the USDA.
How Long Can Pizza Sit Out?
Some foods can be left out at room temperature for extended periods without compromising their safety or posing a danger of food poisoning or foodborne illness.
Even though pizza should be stored in the refrigerator, it is usually safe to leave it at room temperature for brief periods.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that perishable food, such as pizza, should not be kept at room temperature for an extended period.
The USDA points out that this is true even if there are no meat components on your pizza. The majority of pizzas’ key ingredient, cheese, should be kept in the refrigerator to lower the risk of foodborne bacterial contamination.
Unbelievably, pizza can only be left out at room temperature for two hours before it becomes unsafe. It is safe to be left outside for just one hour at higher temperatures.
How Long Can Pizza Be Left Out At Room Temperature?
Pizza doesn’t necessarily need to be thrown away just because it has been left out for a few hours. According to the USDA, pizza can be kept at room temperature for almost two hours or one hour in hot conditions exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The USDA advises cooling the pizza to at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower after this brief time to lessen the chance of foodborne bacteria growing.
What Is The Ideal Temperature For Pizza?
Throw away food sitting at room temperature for more than four hours. This is because pizza’s ingredients contain pathogens that can be spread through food.
These bacteria thrive in temperatures ranging from 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a typical room temperature. Foodborne bacteria grow and accumulate when the pizza is kept below this temperature.
However, there are times when it does not smell or taste bad. This is because pathogenic bacteria typically do not adversely affect food flavor, appearance, or smell.
However, avoiding the first bite of these pizzas that have been left over is not a good idea. This is risky and can sometimes result in death. Consuming pizza leftovers can result in serious health problems like foodborne illnesses.
According to the FDA, leftover pizza can be safely stored for one to two months if it is kept in the freezer rather than the refrigerator.
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How Long Is Cheese Pizza Safe To Leave At Room Temperature?
The rules for cheese pizzas and all other forms of pizza are very similar. After preparation, it shouldn’t be kept at room temperature on your kitchen counter for more than two hours.
The cheese pizza should not theoretically result in food poisoning or gastrointestinal problems, even if left out for three to five hours.
In this manner, you can keep as much of the pizza as possible. After all, no one wants to throw away perfectly good cheese slices!
However, putting the leftovers in the fridge as soon as you are through with them is recommended to avoid getting sick.
What Is The Maximum Amount Of Time Pepperoni Pizza Can Stay Out?
Assuming your pepperoni pizza was delivered hot, you should adhere to this basic principle for all pizza varieties. Especially if you intend to consume the leftovers later, don’t leave them out for more than three hours.
This pizza might spoil much more quickly than a typical cheese pizza because it contains meat elements.
Salmonella-related problems can potentially result in far more severe food poisoning symptoms from the bacteria germs produced in the meat.
However, as long as you immediately put your pizza in the refrigerator after eating, there shouldn’t be any cause for concern. If you eat the leftovers within three to four days, they should be fine.
What Risks Are Associated With Consuming Expired Pizza?
Food should constantly be inspected for mold or other unusual odors before consumption.
However, you won’t always be able to see the bacteria that could make you sick or give you food poisoning.
Experts advise leaning on the side of caution whenever in doubt about whether a meal is safe to eat.
Eating food that has expired or passed its best-by date exposes your body to dangerous microorganisms that can result in nausea, diarrhea, and fever.
At worst, you might get food poisoning or come into contact with deadly microorganisms in high concentrations.
Serious foodborne infections include items like:
- A staphylococcus aureus infection (MRSA bacteria).
- Salmonella.
- Eccherichia coli (E. coli infection).
- Infection with campylobacter.
An upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, and experiencing stomach pain while using the restroom are symptoms of food poisoning.
Food poisoning or other foodborne disorders might manifest symptoms immediately after consumption or days or weeks afterward.
Is It Safe To Eat Pizza That Has Been Left Out For 12 Hours?
You may have heard that 12 hours-old pizza is unsafe to eat. But is this truly accurate? And in that case, what are the dangers?
Let’s take a closer look at the research that supports this claim to see if it is true.
First, it’s important to know that food starts to grow bacteria if left at room temperature for more than two hours. Therefore, if you leave your pizza on the counter overnight, it might become a place where bacteria can grow.
But it’s crucial to remember that not all bacteria are created equal. While some kinds of bacteria are completely harmless, others can poison food.
Therefore, just because your pizza contains bacteria does not necessarily imply that you will get sick from eating it.
According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), any prepared food that has spent more than two hours at room temperature should be thrown out.
That’s because dangerous bacteria, which can lead to foodborne illnesses, prefer to live and grow at room temperature.
Additionally, keep in mind that if you reside in a warm climate, it is preferable to dispose of any leftover pizza after an hour. It can also be chilled so that it keeps its freshness for up to 4 days.
Final Verdict:
The pizza may be safe if left on the counter overnight, but that does not mean it is. From now on, store your pizza differently to lower your risk of foodborne illness. Keep in mind that pizza must be refrigerated after just two hours.
In short, if you want a piece of cold pizza, ensure you get it from the fridge or freezer, not your hotel room’s end table or kitchen counter. Later, your stomach and taste buds will be glad you did.
Have you ever eaten pizza the next day after leaving it out overnight? Have you been ill? How do you currently store pizza? Below, please share your experiences and storage solutions.
