Follow these simple steps to help create delicious and safe sandwiches for your patients, residents and customers.
The two-hour rule
Refrigerate prepared foods within two hours. Discard prepared foods that have been sitting at room temperature for longer than two hours.
- Never freeze leftovers
- Refrigerate leftovers in shallow containers and cover once cooled. Food cools faster in shallow containers
- Never mix leftovers with fresh foods
- Date leftovers with “prepared on” date to ensure freshness
- Leftovers should be eaten within four days
Storage chart for ready-to-eat meats in refrigerators and freezers
| Item | Refrigerator 4°C (40°F) | Freezer -18°C (0°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Deli Meats (unopened) | Keep to best before date | 1-2 months |
| Deli Meats (opened) | Keep up to one week | 1-2 months |
| Ham, fully cooked | 3-4 days | 1-2 months |
| Pre-cooked sausage links or patties | 1 week | 1-2 months |
| Hot dogs (unopened) | 2 weeks | 1-2 months |
| Hot dogs (opened) | 1 week | 1-2 months |
| Bacon, fully cooked | 1 week | 1-2 months |