How often can you safely reheat food? Here’s what the science says — and where the microwave has its limits


presence Leftovers in the refrigerator It is a source of security… and for the more neurotic among us, it is a source of stress. On the one hand, it’s nice to know that a meal is ready and waiting for you when you get hungry. But at the same time, eating them before they spoil can seem like an impossible race against time.

Food poisoning This is no joke, so it’s no wonder an old casserole dish is more disgusting than tempting. However, the hungrier you are, the more tempting it is to believe there might be a way Reset That hour — especially when reliable sources promote the idea that a spin in the microwave is all it takes to add an extra three to four days to the life of your food.

Basically, the idea behind this theory is that as long as you reheat the dish before it has time to pick up the disease-causing pathogens, you will continually delay contracting it at all. While this would be great if it were true – how convenient would it be to be able to eat the same food on an infinite loop, or more likely, until there is nothing left? Food safety specialists We spoke to us and said there’s nothing more than wishful thinking about this idea.

That’s why they say you can never give your old food a fresh start, how to go wrong with the pasta in your fridge, and what you can do to make the most of leftovers before their time is up.

First: What makes food waste dangerous?

Food poisoning It occurs due to the presence of pathogens – such as disease-causing bacteria, viruses and parasites – in what we eat, but what is not generally understood is when They make up and where They come from.

Harmful strains of bacteria find their way into our food through various channels: cross-contamination during preparation, improperly washing ingredients, and even simple contact between what you’re cooking and any germs on your hands from touching things like a light switch or a dirty faucet. Bill Sullivan, Ph.DShowalter, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Indiana University School of Medicine, tells SELF.

Working in a clean environment, washing hands regularly, avoiding foods that are recalled from the home, and being vigilant about potential contaminants — such as clothespins that have touched raw chicken — will all limit the presence of these types of bacteria. If harmful pathogens are never introduced, they most likely will not appear at all. (Your leftovers will still spoil eventually, but the bacteria responsible won’t necessarily be the ones that make you sick.)



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