In a recent episode of HuffPost’s “Am I Doing It Wrong?” podcast, hosts Raj Punjabi and Noah Michelson spoke with Kristen Aiken, HuffPost’s executive director of Life and Commerce, about food safety and the dangers of consuming foods that have been left out for too long. Aiken, a culinary school graduate and food safety aficionado, shared tips on how to avoid the potential risks of eating spoiled food. One shocking revelation was the case of a young man who died after consuming spaghetti with red sauce that had been left out at room temperature for five days, leading to high levels of bacillus cereus in his body.
Bacillus cereus is a common bacteria found in foods like rice, pasta, meat, and cheese. When these foods are left at room temperature, the bacteria can multiply, releasing toxins that can cause food poisoning. While death from consuming starchy foods left out at room temperature is rare, it can happen, highlighting the importance of proper food storage. Aiken emphasized the need to refrigerate or freeze leftover rice, pasta, and all other foods as quickly as possible to prevent any potential issues.
Aiken also discussed the temperature danger zone (40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit), where bacteria multiply rapidly, and the importance of not leaving food in this range for more than two hours. If food has been left out for longer than two hours, it is advisable to discard it to avoid the risk of foodborne illness. The conversation also touched on topics like whether condiments like ketchup need to be refrigerated, foods that will stay good indefinitely, and more.
Listeners were encouraged to subscribe to “Am I Doing It Wrong?” to catch future episodes covering a wide range of topics, including gut health, dental care, financial tips, travel hacks, mental health, relationships, and more. The hosts welcome suggestions for topics to cover in upcoming episodes and encourage listeners to reach out via email. Overall, the podcast episode shed light on the importance of food safety and proper storage practices to avoid potential health risks associated with consuming spoiled food.
