Don't Take It Lightly, 5 Waste Foods That Are More Dangerous than Raw Chicken

Illustration of leftover rice. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - When it comes to food safety, many people are immediately wary of raw chicken. But did you know, some leftover foods every day can be more dangerous if not handled properly. Here are 5 types of foods that are often underestimated for their risks, as reported by the Scaredof website.

1. Rice

Rice that is left too long at room temperature can become a nest of Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that produces heat-resistant toxins. This problem is not because the rice is undercooked, but because the bacteria's spores can survive even when cooked. This bacteria develops quickly at room temperature, and can cause serious poisoning.

2. Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes wrapped tightly in foil can trigger botulism if stored too long at room temperature. The botulinum toxin produced can cause paralysis and even death. The case of the botulism outbreak in El Paso, Texas, 1994 is a real example of the danger.

3. Mushroom Waste

Unrefrigerated ripe mushrooms are particularly susceptible to bacterial growth such as Listeria, Staphylococcus, and Salmonella. These bacterial toxins are heat-resistant, so reheating mushrooms is not always safe.

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4. Waste Paste

Just like rice, leftover pasta can also be contaminated with Bacillus cereus. The risk increases if the pasta is left at room temperature for too long. There was a tragic case of a man dying from eating leftover spaghetti for 5 days in the kitchen.

5. Mature Vegetables

Mature vegetables left at room temperature can become a breeding ground for Clostridium perfringens, a bacterium that produces heat-resistant toxins. This bacterium often causes poisoning at buffets or holiday dishes.

How to Safely Store Food Waste

1. Cold quickly: After cooking, immediately cool the food.

2. Store in the refrigerator for a maximum of two hours (one hour if the temperature is above 32°C).

3. When in doubt, it's better to throw it away than to take the risk.

Daily leftovers can be just as dangerous, even more than raw chicken, if stored incorrectly. Pay attention to storage and don't take it lightly.