What should be done with leftovers that have been left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours?

When leftovers have been left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, the safest approach is to discard them to prevent foodborne illness. This is because, at room temperature, bacteria can multiply rapidly, potentially reaching harmful levels that could cause foodborne diseases. The general food safety guideline is that perishable items should not be left out for more than 2 hours, and if the temperature is above 90°F, that time is reduced to just 1 hour.

Refrigerating leftovers that have been left out beyond this time frame does not eliminate the potential risk; the bacteria that may have grown while the food was sitting out can still produce toxins that are not destroyed by cooking or refrigeration. Similarly, reheating leftovers or conducting a quality check does not ensure their safety, as harmful bacteria can exist without any noticeable change in smell, taste, or appearance. Thus, discarding such food is the best practice to ensure food safety and minimize the risk of illness.