– The main components of your sushi will determine its overall shelf life and storage instructions. In general, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that leftovers should not be kept at room temperature for more than 2 hours, and for no more than 1 hour if you’re eating outdoors when the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) ( 2 ).
- This recommendation applies to both raw and cooked sushi, such as sashimi, tempura, and California rolls.
- Raw fish and shellfish can be refrigerated for 1–2 days, but 3–4 days when cooked, according to the U.S.
- Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines for storing sushi ( 3 ).
- The objective is to keep sushi out of the “danger zone” of 40–140 o F (4–60 o C) to prevent rapid bacterial growth, which raises the risk of foodborne illness ( 3 ).
Summary Raw sushi can be stored at room temperature for up to two hours and in the refrigerator for one to two days, whereas cooked sushi can be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days.
How long can sushi be stored?
– Sushi is a popular Japanese dish that is typically made with raw and cooked seafood, vegetables, rice seasoned with vinegar, and dried seaweed ( nori ). It is more likely to contain parasites and bacteria and must be stored properly to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
– Raw fish and seafood, such as sushi and sashimi, are more likely to contain bacteria and parasites that can be transmitted to humans and cause foodborne illness ( 6, 7 ). In Japan, sushi is commonly associated with anisakidosis, an intestinal infection caused by larvae, whereas sushi has been linked to salmonella outbreaks in the United States ( 1, 8 ).
Though individual symptoms may vary, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach cramps are the most common symptoms of a foodborne illness ( 1, 9 ). Cases of food poisoning can be severe, particularly in those who are at a higher risk of complications, such as young children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with certain health conditions.
In addition to the risk of foodborne illness, sushi may contain mercury, a toxic heavy metal that, in large quantities, can cause damage to the brain, intestines, and kidneys ( 10 ). The greatest risk of consuming spoiled sushi is contracting a foodborne illness; however, sushi may be a source of the poisonous heavy metal mercury.
How long can food be stored at room temperature?
– The main components of your sushi will determine its overall shelf life and storage instructions. In general, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that leftovers should not be kept at room temperature for more than 2 hours, and for no more than 1 hour if you’re eating outdoors when the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) ( 2 ).
This guidance applies to both raw sushi, such as sashimi, and cooked sushi, such as tempura or California rolls. When storing sushi in the fridge, however, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advises that raw fish and shellfish can be refrigerated for 1–2 days, but 3–4 days when cooked ( 3 ). ( 3 ).
The objective is to keep sushi out of the “danger zone” of 40–140 o F (4–60 o C) to prevent rapid bacterial growth, which raises the risk of foodborne illness ( 3 ). Summary Raw sushi can be stored at room temperature for up to two hours and in the refrigerator for one to two days, whereas cooked sushi can be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days.