Wrapping a plate of leftovers in aluminum foil and tossing it in the fridge is one of the easiest and most popular ways of storing food. However, it turns out it is not the safest. Using aluminum foil to cover or wrap your food may expose you to health hazards.
It is not the foil itself that causes the problem, but rather the air that can get through it. Much like humans need air to breathe, bacteria need air to thrive. Some bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses aren’t destroyed by high cooking temperatures. Using aluminum foil to cover leftovers doesn’t completely seal your food off from air, and the presence of air allows bacteria to grow faster.
The smart thing to do when you have an abundance of food leftover is to pack it in airtight containers. Another helpful tip for storing leftovers is to let them cool before placing them in the fridge. All food has a danger zone, during which bacteria grows more rapidly, usually in the range of temperatures between 40 F and 140 F. If you place hot food in a container, and then directly in the fridge, you trap the heat inside, which prolongs the amount of time your food is in the danger zone. To be on the safe side, let the food cool down and skip the aluminum foil next time you have a leftover situation on your hands.
