Foodborne illnesses can be avoided by properly cooking holiday meals and reheating leftovers. Jason Taylor, food safety specialist with Washington County Environmental Health, shares if food is cooked properly leftovers can safely be eaten cold. Or you can reheat leftovers in the oven or on the stove up to 165 degrees to kill any bacteria that may have started to grow. He adds you can also reheat items in the microwave. Taylor recommends storing leftover dishes on the top shelf in your refrigerator in shallow dishes and delay putting lids on until heat has been able to escape the food.