Find out how to properly store and reheat leftover food to avoid complications and ensure your food safety
Not everyone has the time to cook every day, much less every single meal. A survey conducted in 2021 by MindMiners in all regions of Brazil revealed that only 41% of respondents are in the habit of cooking at home on a daily basis. That is, most of the population consumes heated food during the day.
However, what many people don’t know is that consuming reheated food can be quite dangerous to your health.
“Any food that is not refrigerated and reheated properly can pose a health risk. When this process is done incorrectly, there may not be the heating and time needed to destroy some pathogenic bacteria that may have developed in the food,” warns nutritionist Mariana Etchepare, PhD in Food Science and Technology and lecturer in the Food Science course. ‘Diet. Positive college nutrition.
The expert explains that these bacteria can cause food poisoning, such as salmonella, cholera, botulism and rotavirus, among others. They can also develop on foods that are frequently reheated, such as rice and beans.
“The Bacillus cereus, for example, which develops in cereals, can proliferate in rice if kept at room temperature after cooking, before the next meal”, advises Mariana, clarifying that this period in which the rice is out of the fridge is conducive to development of pathogenic organisms, which can cause food poisoning.
Bacteria cause food poisoning
Improperly heated meat, poultry, fish and seafood can also harbor bacteria such as salmonella, campylobacter, vibrio parahaemolyticus and vibrio vulnificus. If these foods are not heated to a safe internal temperature, the bacteria can survive and cause food poisoning, which can lead to more serious health conditions, especially in vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. .
Common symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. These symptoms usually go away within a few days, but food poisoning can lead to serious complications such as severe dehydration, organ damage, neurological disorders, and even death.
The danger in the microwave
Another point that the expert underlines is the care in using the microwave oven to heat food. The main problem is that equipment usually heats food unevenly, i.e. some parts do not reach a safe internal temperature for consumption.
“Therefore, when reheating food in the microwave, it is essential to use safe containers, check the internal temperature of the food to ensure it is adequately heated, and follow specific food safety guidelines for each type of food,” teaches the nutritionist.
Stirring the food while reheating and covering the dish with a lid can also help retain moisture and heat produce more evenly.
Despite the warning, cooking for every meal, or every day, isn’t the only way to avoid health problems caused by consuming reheated foods. The alternative is to prepare them quickly and keep them in the fridge as soon as they are ready, still hot.
“To avoid the proliferation of bacteria in foods, the correct thing is to keep them in the refrigerator up to five days before consuming them, when they must be heated for five minutes at a temperature of 74 degrees Celsius, to ensure the elimination of any pathogenic organism which can be present in food”, concludes Mariana.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
