{"id":67911,"date":"2023-09-25T18:23:40","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T18:23:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celeband.com\/?p=67911"},"modified":"2023-09-25T18:23:40","modified_gmt":"2023-09-25T18:23:40","slug":"the-9-foods-you-should-never-reheat-or-risk-deadly-pathogens-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celeband.com\/lifestyle\/the-9-foods-you-should-never-reheat-or-risk-deadly-pathogens-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"The 9 foods you should never reheat or risk deadly pathogens | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
MOST people think nothing of chucking last night's leftovers into the microwave and digging into a stress-free dinner. <\/p>\n
But doing so could actually put you at risk of several serious illnesses, which, in rare cases, can be deadly, a food safety specialist has warned.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It turns out some meals should never be reheated, however convenient doing so might be, while others require special attention.<\/p>\n
Dr Stacey Duvenage, from the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Greenwich in London, said: "In the hope to offset food wastage, leftover food is often kept for a second meal. <\/p>\n
"However, care should be taken when preparing it and reheating it to prevent food poisoning and to maintain the nutritional properties."<\/p>\n
Here, the expert lists nine products that you need to be extra careful with when scoffing them a day or two after cooking, and why. <\/p>\n
READ MORE ON FOOD SAFETY<\/h2>\n
<\/picture>LAST MEAL <\/span><\/p>\n
Man, 20, found dead in his bed by parents after he reheated common pasta dish<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>MOULD ON A MINUTE <\/span><\/p>\n
I'm a food safety expert and here's the 4 foods you CAN eat when mouldy<\/h3>\n
1. Rice<\/h2>\n
First up on the watch list is any dish involving rice – think curries, stir fries and risottos. <\/p>\n
That's because uncooked rice contains a bacterium called Bacillus cereus.<\/p>\n
Although cooking should kill the bug, it can live on in spore form, Dr Duvenage said.<\/p>\n
"These spores can survive the cooking process and then begin to grow when rice is left at room temperature," she added.<\/p>\n
Most read in Health<\/h2>\n
<\/picture>BRAIN GAME <\/span><\/p>\n
The 12 things that leave you at increased risk of brain-robbing dementia<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/picture>LITTLE MARVEL <\/span><\/p>\n
Tot dubbed \u2018baby Hulk\u2019 after being born with ENORMOUS arms and chest<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/picture>POO KNEW? <\/span><\/p>\n
The truth about ‘marble’ poos – and how it’s a sign you need to act now<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/picture>STARS IN THEIR EYES<\/span><\/p>\n
Huge celebrities queue up to meet Sun\u2019s Young Hero at WCW awards<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
"This species of bacteria is able to produce a toxin which could lead to food poisoning."<\/p>\n
It causes two types of gastrointestinal illness – vomiting and diarrhoea – which can also be accompanied by stomach pain. <\/p>\n
While very rare, there have been several deaths attributed to Bacillus cereus. <\/p>\n
To avoid complications, rice should be put in the fridge within two hours of cooking, Dr Duvenage said.<\/p>\n
It should then be stored for no more than 24 hours, and heated to at least 74C throughout before eating again. <\/p>\n
2. Eggs<\/h2>\n
Eggs shouldn't be reheated full stop, according to Dr Duvenage. <\/p>\n
She said the protein-rich product should only be consumed cold, within 24 hours of cooking. <\/p>\n
"They're enjoyed globally for their convenience, affordability and health benefits, but leftover eggs should not be reheated," she added. <\/p>\n
"Doing so leads to the proteins being oxidised, which could lead to the presence of cancer-causing agents in the food."<\/p>\n
3. Mushrooms<\/h2>\n
Reheating mushrooms not only makes them soggy, but can destroy proteins and nutrients, Dr Duvenage said. <\/p>\n
They probably won't taste great or be particularly beneficial to your health, and they could also make you unwell. <\/p>\n
If they've been left at room temperature for too long, you might experience a stomach ache or other digestive issues.<\/p>\n
But in severe cases, sickness could develop into something far more sinister. <\/p>\n
Dr Duvenage said: "Similarly to eggs, when proteins are oxidised, they can become carcinogenic [having the potential to cause cancer]."<\/p>\n
4. Spinach<\/h2>\n
Spinach and cabbage are good for you, right? Well, not if you're reheating them, according to Dr Duvenage.<\/p>\n
She said while the nitrate-rich vegetables should make up part of a healthy diet, warming them up the following day should be avoided. <\/p>\n
"Nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic compounds, can form within these vegetables when heated at high temperatures or if reheated," the expert added. <\/p>\n
Scientists have linked these compounds to an increased risk of oesophageal, stomach and nasopharynx cancer. <\/p>\n
5. Potatoes<\/h2>\n
Potatoes are a staple in diets around the world; they're cheap and rich in vitamins and minerals. <\/p>\n
But once cooked, cooled and reheated, our bodies find digesting them more challenging, Dr Duvenage said. <\/p>\n
On top of that, Clostridium botulinum and other bacteria can be present if potatoes have been left out for several hours. <\/p>\n
"The deadly toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum would not be destroyed during reheating," Dr Duvenage said. <\/p>\n
Botulism, which is caused by these toxins, is a life-threatening condition that attacks the nerves, brain and spinal cord.<\/p>\n
It initially causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation, but, without treatment, it can trigger paralysing muscle weakness.<\/p>\n
This includes: drooping eyelids, blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech and breathing problems, according to the NHS. <\/p>\n
Botulism is serious and requires immediate medical attention. <\/p>\n
6. Seafood<\/h2>\n
"Reheated seafood can be enjoyed safely, but caution must be taken in the preparation and immediate storage after cooking," Dr Duvenage said. <\/p>\n
People should refrigerate it as soon as possible, and eat it within 24 hours.<\/p>\n
This will preserve quality and flavour, and help protect you against food poisoning.<\/p>\n
"If certain types of fish are not refrigerated, histamine can be produced which can lead to an unpleasant reaction in consumers," Dr Duvenage said. <\/p>\n
People may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, a burning sensation in the mouth, a red rash, itching, and low blood pressure. <\/p>\n
This is particularly prevalent in fish of the Scombridae and Scomberesocidae family – e.g. tuna, mackerel and bonito, scientists say. <\/p>\n
7. Chicken<\/h2>\n
Generally, reheating chicken is fine – but you need to make sure it reaches the right temperature.<\/p>\n
Dr Duvenage said: "To kill bacteria present, an overall temperature of 75C should be reached in the thickest part of the piece. <\/p>\n
"It is a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check the temperature to ensure that thorough heating."<\/p>\n
Failing to do so puts you at risk of food-borne illnesses.<\/p>\n
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) says: "Remember, reheating means cooking again, not just warming up. <\/p>\n
"Always reheat food until it is steaming hot all the way through (you should only do this once)."<\/p>\n
8. Oil<\/h2>\n
Reheating food that has been cooked with olive, flaxseed or rapeseed oil can lead to the production of acrylamide in products like chips, Dr Duvenage said. <\/p>\n
It's not deliberately added to foods, but is a natural by-product of the cooking process. <\/p>\n
Lab testing shows acrylamide in the diet causes cancer in animals, and has the potential to do the same in humans, the FSA says. <\/p>\n
"We recommend that the amount of acrylamide we all consume is reduced, as a precaution," the agency adds. <\/p>\n
The problem arises from the smoke that is produced. <\/p>\n
"The more the oils that are cooked, the lower the temperature is at which smoke is produced," Dr Duvenage added. <\/p>\n
9. Baby food and milk<\/h2>\n
Finally, baby food, breast milk and formula should only be heated once. <\/p>\n
"If your baby hasn\u2019t finished the whole warmed portion, it could contain bacteria from your baby\u2019s mouth," Dr Duvenage said. <\/p>\n
"When baby food is reheated, it may not reach the temperature needed to kill these bacteria, and that could cause foodborne illness. <\/p>\n
"Breast milk and formula should not be reheated because nutrients can be destroyed. <\/p>\n
"Formula should only be reheated if it is stored in the fridge within two hours of preparation. <\/p>\n
READ MORE SUN STORIES<\/h2>\n
<\/picture>WOWIE<\/span><\/p>\n
Dramatic Towie body transformations – from 14st weight loss to unrecognisable star<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>ROAM FREE <\/span><\/p>\n
Most affordable European city break revealed – with \u00a31.60 beers& \u00a315 flights<\/h3>\n
"Breast milk can lose its flavour and nutrients when reheating, leading to babies sometimes rejecting the mother\u2019s milk."<\/p>\n
Dr Duvenage concluded: "Understanding how foods behave when reheated helps us make choices in the kitchen when storing and preparing leftovers."<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/RW-COMP-FOODS-TO-AVIODv2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/NINTCHDBPICT000844649620.jpg\")
<\/picture>LAST MEAL <\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/NINTCHDBPICT000811624972-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>MOULD ON A MINUTE <\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Dementia-risk-comp.jpg\")
<\/picture>BRAIN GAME <\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/newspress-collage-24116035-1695637335742.jpg\")
<\/picture>LITTLE MARVEL <\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/crop-24118953.jpg\")
<\/picture>POO KNEW? <\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/KS_COMP_Who-Cares-Wins-kids-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>STARS IN THEIR EYES<\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/KH-COMP-TOWIE.jpg\")
<\/picture>![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/newspress-collage-24113685-1695637985082.jpg\")
<\/picture>