Aluminum foil is for baking, not storing leftovers. Refrigerated leftovers typically last up to four days if they are sealed and stored correctly. However, in many times, we simply tear off a piece of foil and wrap lefovers or place it over a plate, bowl or container. But it is an easy way to put yourself at risk for health hazards. Much like we need air to breathe, bacteria need air to thrive. Wrapping food in aluminum foil doesn’t completely seal your food off from the air. Bacteria, like staph and Bacillus cereus, which cause foodborne illnesses, can thrive in your fridge and produce toxins that aren’t destroyed by high cooking temperatures. So seal leftovers in shallow, air-tight containers. The shallow containers allow the food to cool faster and slows the growth of bacteria. And make sure you put the food away in the fridge within two hours before the bacteria has time to wreak havoc all over the home-cooked meal that you spent hours preparing and cooking.