Recently, Wuhan City reported two consecutive incidents of sudden discomfort after consuming rice noodles within three days. The investigation found that all 10 poisoning victims had eaten overnight rice noodles. Relevant authorities believe that both incidents are suspected to be caused by secondary food contamination. Experts have reminded that during the summer, high temperatures can easily cause overnight food, especially rice and noodle dishes, to spoil and become secondarily contaminated, and citizens should avoid consuming them.
Associate Professor Shen Lei from the Digestive Department of Hubei Provincial People's Hospital reminded that overnight vegetables, after being salted for a long time, have an increased nitrite content. The salt on the surface can convert into nitrites, which can easily cause poisoning. Leftover starchy foods like rice and noodles are easily contaminated by Staphylococcus, and the toxins produced by this bacterium are not easily broken down by high-temperature heating, so they should also be avoided.
Shen Lei said that if you are reluctant to throw away leftover food, it should be placed in a ventilated and cool place until it reaches room temperature before being refrigerated. The temperature in a refrigerator can only inhibit the growth of microorganisms, not kill them completely. Therefore, the storage time should not exceed the next meal, and it is best not to eat overnight food.
Shen Lei reminded that leftovers must be thoroughly heated, as low-temperature heating can actually increase the number of microorganisms in the food. However, heating also leads to a loss of nutritional value in the food, and the higher the temperature and the more times it is reheated, the more nutrients are lost. Therefore, regularly eating leftovers can also lead to malnutrition. In addition, reheated leftover rice is difficult to digest. People with diminished digestive function, such as the elderly, infants, the chronically ill, and those with gastrointestinal diseases, should eat less or avoid eating cold, reheated rice altogether.