So, you haven’t finished the entire pie and want to save some for later? Maybe you will not have time to prepare it, so preparing it in advance is your best option. Regardless, pecan pie is always delicious whether it is fresh out of the oven or not. Now, to avoid spoiling, proper storage is necessary to stay safe and keep everything edible.
Food Poisoning
According to the USDA, egg-rich pies, including pecan pies should be refrigerated after baking and cooling. The pie should not be left out, at room temperature for more than two hours. Failing to put the food away promptly could result in bacterial growth. These contaminants could lead to foodborne illnesses and food poisoning, including:
- E. Coli - Often comes from contaminated water or food. Some foods that this contaminant has been linked to include beef, cookie dough, fruit, lettuce, pre-prepared salads, raw flour, and raw/unpasteurized milk.
- Salmonella - This usually comes from eggs and meats such as beef, chicken, or pork. It can also be present in certain processed foods as well as fruit, vegetables, and sprouts.
- Norovirus - According to the CDC, “any food served raw or handled after being cooked can become contaminated…” Because infected people can be a source of an outbreak, it’s best to make sure the food is handled with clean, washed hands and put away as soon as serving is done.
- Listeria - This foodborne illness often comes from improperly processed deli meats as well as unpasteurized milk products.
- Staphylococcus aureus (staph) - The main food products that staph can be found in include raw food products, such as meats, deli meats, poultry, eggs, milk, dairy, and sandwich filling. Staph has also been found in raw salads including chicken, egg, macaroni, potato, and tuna. Baked goods that can be a source of staph include chocolate eclairs, cream pies, and other cream-filled pastries.
- Cholera - A person typically becomes infected with cholera after consuming water or food contaminated with it. For instance, seafood, raw fruits, raw vegetables, meat, and cooked grains have been known to be contaminated.
- Botulism - This toxin has been found in foods such as meat products, canned meat products including tuna, and salted or smoked fish. Other foods it has been found in include low-acid preserved vegetables, such as beets, green beans, mushrooms, and spinach.
Food poisoning is especially dangerous for people who are at higher risk, such as the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and people with severe health issues, or weakened immune systems. Most foodborne contaminants are the results of improper food processing, preparation, or storage. These pathogens are often spread from humans to food. Food Safety should be a priority to avoid minor to severe health issues. The recommended consumption of any leftovers that have been properly refrigerated is 3 to 4 days.
That said, it is completely fine to prepare your pecan pie in advance and properly store it until your holiday, event, or special dinner.
