Many people save leftovers for later without giving it much thought. This could include pizza, rice, or chicken from the day before.
According to The Independent, it is often not the cooking itself, but the way the food is stored that can cause problems.
Microbiologist Primrose Freestone explains, according to Allas, that bacteria can develop quickly if food is left at room temperature for too long.
Even food that looks fine can therefore be unsafe to eat.
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Foods at risk
Some foods require extra attention. Pizza should be refrigerated within two hours; otherwise, bacteria can begin to grow, writes The Independent.
Chicken is also a well-known source of food poisoning. If it is not fully cooked, it should be discarded.
Even properly cooked chicken must be refrigerated quickly and eaten within a few days.
Rice is another common example. Bacterial spores can survive cooking and become active again if the rice is not cooled quickly.
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How to avoid problems
Storage is crucial for safety. Opened cans should be transferred to sealed containers to avoid bacteria from the surroundings, according to Primrose Freestone.
Refrigeration does not completely stop bacteria but slows their growth. Therefore, it is important to eat leftovers in time and cool them quickly.
The issue is not the food itself, but how it is handled afterward. Improper storage can turn perfectly ordinary leftovers into a risk for food poisoning.
Sources: Allas and The Independent.
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