Should I eat that? Or toss it?

WASHINGTON - While growing up you probably heard, "It's not good to waste food." But is it worth risking your health?

You know not to eat potato salad that's been sitting in the sun for hours.

But what about other foods?

What about that cappuccino you left overnight on your desk?

Nope. Don't drink it. Bacteria plus warm liquid plus time equals trouble.

Ketchup and mustard left in your refrigerator after a power outage?

Condiments are OK, but the Department of Agriculture says toss everything else after four hours.

How about sliced deli meat from a week ago?

Don't bother. Meats like that need to be eaten within two or three days.

Mold on bread?

Toss it. Rule of thumb: Mold is a sign that it's time to say goodbye to the food.

Canned goods with past use-by dates?

"Generally, canned goods have a one-year expiration date from the date of manufacture before quality diminishes," according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension service. Its Web site offers some food storage guidelines.

So, what leftovers have you eaten that you shouldn't have?

Here are some of your responses you texted in:

• I ate Maryland crab cakes from two days ago. I was violently ill for three days.

• Just tasted my son's baby formula straight from the bottle to see if it was still good. Not sure if it tasted nasty because it had spoiled, or if it just generally is gross.

• I ate raw cookie dough that sat out of the fridge for a week and nothing happened to me.

• Broccoli left out on stove for 2 days. I was SICK like a dog! DO NOT DO IT.

• Grilled Twinkie.

• I've eaten leftover spaghetti (with sauce) the day after it's been made, with no issues!

• I ate a Caesar salad after leaving it in my car in the sun for 3 hours. Needless to say, I got violently ill. I just hate to waste food!

• If i think its bad its gone.

• I ate a sub from Subway that wasn't put in the fridge over night.

• Expired hot dogs.

• Week-old Chinese takeout.