Leftover
Beginning with The Sims 2: Seasons, a Sim can store leftovers by putting them into the refrigerator. The feature is also in The Sims 3 and The Sims 4.
The Sims 2
In The Sims 2, leftovers in the refrigerator or in a Sim's personal inventory can be stored forever. Leftover can only be stored and taken out of the refrigerator by Sim only under the player's command. Getting leftovers will prompt a selection window, where the meal can be selected by clicking on it.
If leftovers are stored in a refrigerator, they are associated with the lot, not that specific fridge, or even that specific household. They will not be lost if the fridge is sold and replaced. If the household is moved to a new lot, they will not go with it, even if one member takes the fridge in inventory. Instead, they will remain with the lot and will be available if a new household moves in.
Since The Sims 2: Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff is based on The Sims 2: Pets,[1] the new refrigerators included with it do not have the ability to store leftovers. [2]
The Sims 3
In The Sims 3, leftovers will go bad over time in the refrigerator, which will then need to be cleaned out. Additionally, eating leftovers from a cheap refrigerator might give a negative moodlet. Stored leftovers can be taken as single plates straight while the group meal remains inside. Reaching level 10 in the Culinary Career rewards the Sim with a Master Chef Fridge that keeps food indefinitely.
Unlike in The Sims 2: Seasons, Sims will get leftovers from the refrigerator when hungry and may store any discarded platter back in the refrigerator. However, this feature doesn't ensure that the Sim won't prepare another serving even if there are remaining leftovers in the refrigerator. The player chooses the leftover for a Sim to grab from the pie menu, which doesn't put the game on pause unlike previously.
The Sims 4
In The Sims 4, leftovers in refrigerators will spoil if not completely consumed after a few days and can be cleaned by Sims after all of the servings have been eaten, though they won't do this autonomously. The "Get Leftovers" interaction will make Sims take any random leftover that is inside the fridge.