Eat the meal that you can t finish the next day? Experts remind that the 3 reasons for the increase in heat and leftovers are prone to breeding bacteria

Many people often cook a bowl of rice, and add heat to the rest the next day before eating. According to the USA Today report, there are three reasons why you need to be extra careful when you heat up the remaining food. The first two reasons are that the pH of rice is neutral and contains more water than other foods, which are beneficial to bacterial growth; in addition, rice also contains bacterial spores called Bacillus cereus, which can survive after cooking and reproduce at room temperature.

Nutritionist Shelley Rael of Albuquerque, New Mexico, said that cacti can cause vomiting and abdominal distension, while cooked foods are not refrigerated quickly, stored in the refrigerator for a long time (depending on the U.S. Department of Health and Public Services Food Safety App, rice can be stored for up to 3-4 days), or not properly heated rice, which can easily breed bacteria.

Nutritionist Jen Messer also pointed out that remaining heat does not usually cause immediate dangers, but improper operation can also have adverse health effects.

How long can rice be stored before storing it in the refrigerator?

In addition to avoiding leaving leftovers in the refrigerator for more than 3-4 days before eating, it is also important not to leave the cooked rice for too long before eating or refrigerating. Leer said that rice can be left for up to 2 hours after cooking, before serving or refrigeration, but if it is outdoors, the time should be reduced by half. For example, during a warm summer picnic, the outdoor temperature can reach 80° F or 90° F (26℃ or 32℃), and if the food is placed on the table with other foods, it is easier to breed bacteria. In this case, it is best to cool the rice, if it is left for more than an hour, throw it into the trash can.

How to heat leftovers

There are two things to note when adding leftovers to heat up. First, be sure to ensure safety, and second, keep the original flavor and soft taste of rice.

Moser said that the best way to keep the remaining food soft and delicious is to add a small amount of water or soup before heating. Some people use microwave ovens to heat the rice for one or two minutes, and put ice blocks and wet kitchen towels; or put a glass of water in the microwave oven at the same time, the steam produced by boiling water can prevent the rice from becoming dry and hard.

Oven can also be used to heat leftovers. The recommended ratio for a cooking website is to add 2 tons of water for each cup of rice, then place the rice in a flat-bottomed pot in the oven, and use simmer foil paper, and heat for 15-20 minutes. In the same proportion, the remaining food can also be heated directly on the stove.

Ler said that no matter which method is used, it is necessary to ensure that the internal temperature of the food reaches at least 165° F (74℃) before it can be eaten. She said she would measure it with instant cooking temperatures.

Moser also believes that 165°F (74°C) is the necessary temperature to kill any bacteria and make the leftovers safe to eat. It is best to stir without time during heating to ensure uniform heat preservation. She suggested that after reaching the desired temperature, it is best to leave the food for one or two minutes before eating, "cut the food to avoid repeated heating."

Chen Baoyu, attending physician of the Department of Internship Department of National Taiwan University Hospital, also pointed out that it is difficult to prepare the ingredients and there are spores of cactus cervix in food. To avoid food poisoning caused by cactus, the focus is to reduce the reproduction of bacteria in large quantities, especially after cooking, the food should be eaten as soon as possible. If it is not eaten immediately, it is necessary to use high temperatures above 65°C or cool at a temperature below 7°C to avoid food being left in the room temperature for too long.

Whether it is white or fried, following the aforementioned food disposal principle, it can reduce the occurrence of food poisoning. In addition, keep the ingredients fresh, pay attention to hand hygiene, keep the food utensils clean, and separate raw and cooked food to ensure that the food is heated up completely, and pay attention to preserving temperature at any time to reduce the risk of food poisoning and reduce gastritis caused by cactus or other microorganisms.

Responsible editor: Gu Zihuan