An expert has finally settled the debate over whether hot food should be kept in the fridge.
Mary Futher, also known online as Madame Sweat, previously fell victim to the same old wives' tale: putting warm food in the fridge can lead to bacteria.
However, the truth is that putting warm foods in the fridge is not only safe, but it is actually recommended by health experts to prevent illness.
“Don't leave food on your counter.” “If you've left it out for more than two hours, you might as well throw it in the trash,” Ms. Futher said.
“The sooner you put it in the fridge, the better.”
Mary Futher has finally settled the debate over whether hot food should be kept in the fridge
Ms. Futher also suggested using smaller containers to store food as they cool faster.
“Make sure your leftovers are placed in a shallow bowl. Don't put a big, huge dish in the fridge or it will take longer to cool.”
Better Health Victoria stipulates that food should be covered and stored immediately once steam rises to prevent bacteria growth and food poisoning.
However, food that has come straight from the stove should never be placed in the fridge as this could cause the internal temperature to rise by more than 5°C – risking bacteria growing in the fridge.
Thousands were divided over Ms. Futher's revelation, with some offering their side of the story.
“I always leave hot or warm food on the counter for about 30 minutes so it doesn't affect the temperature in the fridge,” said one.
“I grew up with my mother leaving all the food in the pots overnight and we ate it the next day.” “Nobody ever got sick,” said one woman.
“I learned not to let it cool because of bacteria, but because the temperature fluctuations can negatively affect other foods in the fridge,” wrote another.
Dr. Joe Whittington is an emergency doctor from the USA
Dr. Joe Whittington also recently revealed that leaving starchy foods like rice and pasta on the counter at room temperature for just two hours can make you very sick.
The American emergency doctor commented on a case in which a 20-year-old student died of “fried rice syndrome” after eating leftover noodles for five days.
This type of food poisoning is caused by Bacillus cereus – a spore-forming bacteria that produces toxins that cause vomiting and diarrhea.
The bacteria are widespread in raw rice and pasta and some spores remain even after the food is cooked.
“Don’t make food, put it in a container and leave it on the counter for a week,” warned Dr. Whittington on the back of the case.
“You should never eat pasta or rice that has been left at room temperature for more than two hours.”
How can I reduce the risk of Bacillus cereus in my food?
1. Cook food thoroughly and serve immediately or keep hot (140°F or hotter) before serving.
2. Quickly cool cooked food if you want to use it later:
- Place it in the fridge (or freezer) once it stops steaming
- Divide large amounts of hot food into smaller containers to help it cool down more quickly
- Make sure your refrigerator is at a temperature of 5°C or colder
3. Store leftovers in the refrigerator (or freezer) and discard refrigerated leftovers if not consumed within 3-4 days (or within 1 day for at-risk individuals).
4. Wash your hands with soap and dry them before preparing and eating food
5. Keep your kitchen and appliances clean
Source: Food Standards Authority
A McGill University scientist has found that a bacterial colony can double in size in 20 minutes when kept at 30°C; The only way to reduce your risk of illness is to eat your food as quickly as possible after cooking.
If this is not possible, they recommend keeping hot foods above 60°C and cold foods below 5°C.
The Australian Food Standards Authority has found that symptoms usually begin one to 16 hours after eating contaminated food, but most people with a healthy immune system should recover within 48 hours.
Foods with a higher risk of contamination include precooked starchy foods such as rice, pasta and grains.
Pre-cooked mixed dishes, especially spiced dishes, are also at risk.
While most people experience only mild symptoms and recover quickly (within a day or less), people with weak immune systems can become seriously ill.