A biologist at Saratov Medical University told how long it takes to finish eating New Year's salads
23 December 2025
The eternal theme of the New Year's feast again raises a lot of questions: how long are salads and other dishes stored, is it possible to finish them for weeks and what consequences will this lead to?
According to Victoria Strizhevskaya, Deputy director of the Higher School of Biotechnology of Food Systems at the Razumovsky State Medical University, the main rule to follow is short and clear: "It is absolutely impossible to store ready-made salads for more than a day."
Salads seasoned with mayonnaise, sour cream, yogurt, butter or sauces become an excellent breeding ground for microorganisms. Especially dangerous are dishes that have been kept warm on the festive table for a long time. Therefore, the expert recommends storing salads, especially puff pastry (for example, herring under a fur coat), in small quantities and serving them gradually in small portions.
"If you have cooked more than the guests can eat at one time, then store the unsweetened salads in an airtight container in the refrigerator (no more than a day). Puff salads (for example, herring under a fur coat) should be made in small portions and taken out of the refrigerator as needed," recommends Victoria Strizhevskaya.
As for gelled snacks (jelly, aspic), desserts like jelly and mousses, similar recommendations apply here: storage should be limited to days, otherwise the risk of food poisoning increases. In addition, a biotechnologist at Saratov Medical University draws attention to a common mistake: the desire to stock up on a lot of food for fear of being hungry during the holidays. She calls for a review of this behavior: times of scarcity are in the past, and large retail chains operate almost around the clock.
"Try to cook so that less is left for later. Of course, you can finish what was on the festive table on January 1, but it didn't spoil with a long stay in a hot room. The key to health is delicious, fresh and varied food every day," says Strizhevskaya.
Following these simple tips will help make New Year's holidays enjoyable and safe.
According to Victoria Strizhevskaya, Deputy director of the Higher School of Biotechnology of Food Systems at the Razumovsky State Medical University, the main rule to follow is short and clear: "It is absolutely impossible to store ready-made salads for more than a day."
Salads seasoned with mayonnaise, sour cream, yogurt, butter or sauces become an excellent breeding ground for microorganisms. Especially dangerous are dishes that have been kept warm on the festive table for a long time. Therefore, the expert recommends storing salads, especially puff pastry (for example, herring under a fur coat), in small quantities and serving them gradually in small portions.
"If you have cooked more than the guests can eat at one time, then store the unsweetened salads in an airtight container in the refrigerator (no more than a day). Puff salads (for example, herring under a fur coat) should be made in small portions and taken out of the refrigerator as needed," recommends Victoria Strizhevskaya.
As for gelled snacks (jelly, aspic), desserts like jelly and mousses, similar recommendations apply here: storage should be limited to days, otherwise the risk of food poisoning increases. In addition, a biotechnologist at Saratov Medical University draws attention to a common mistake: the desire to stock up on a lot of food for fear of being hungry during the holidays. She calls for a review of this behavior: times of scarcity are in the past, and large retail chains operate almost around the clock.
"Try to cook so that less is left for later. Of course, you can finish what was on the festive table on January 1, but it didn't spoil with a long stay in a hot room. The key to health is delicious, fresh and varied food every day," says Strizhevskaya.
Following these simple tips will help make New Year's holidays enjoyable and safe.
