Reheat Your Food Properly Before Eating’, Says WHO: Here’s Why It’s Doubly Important for Indians
In today’s fast-paced world, food often gets prepared in bulk and consumed over multiple meals, leading to an increased reliance on leftovers. However, the practice of reheating food—while convenient—can pose health risks if not done properly. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently emphasized the importance of reheating cooked food to a safe temperature before consumption, highlighting that improper reheating can lead to foodborne illnesses. This practice is especially crucial in countries like India, where temperature fluctuations and the subtropical climate can accelerate bacterial growth, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
WHO’s Golden Rules for Safe Food Preparation
The WHO has issued a set of “Golden Rules” for safe food preparation, one of which specifically addresses the safe reheating of food. According to the WHO guidelines, cooked food should be consumed as soon as possible after cooking. However, when this is not feasible, it is important to ensure that the food is properly reheated to kill any harmful bacteria that may have multiplied during storage.
Foodborne illnesses are caused by bacteria such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Listeria, which thrive in cooked foods that are left at room temperature for extended periods. These bacteria can be present in the food even if it appears to be perfectly fine to eat. Reheating food to an internal temperature of at least 75°C (165°F) ensures that any harmful bacteria are killed, making the food safe to consume. Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant of Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, emphasizes the importance of reheating leftovers thoroughly, but also warns against doing it repeatedly, as each cycle of cooling and reheating can further compromise food quality and safety.
The Importance of Proper Reheating in India
In a tropical country like India, where high ambient temperatures accelerate microbial growth, improper reheating can be particularly dangerous. The Indian subcontinent experiences hot and humid conditions for much of the year, providing the ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. This is compounded by traditional cooking methods, where food is often prepared in large quantities to serve a family, and the leftovers are consumed over the next few days. In such a setting, it becomes doubly important to adhere to proper reheating practices to avoid the risk of foodborne illnesses.
India also has a diverse culinary culture that involves the use of rich, complex dishes with spices, gravies, and sauces. These types of foods tend to retain moisture, making them more susceptible to bacterial growth if not stored and reheated properly. Dishes like curries, rice, and lentils, which are staples in many Indian households, need to be stored at safe temperatures to prevent bacterial contamination.
Risks of Improper Reheating
When food is left out at room temperature, bacteria can multiply quickly, especially in foods that contain high moisture content, such as meat, dairy products, and cooked vegetables. The risk of food poisoning increases if these foods are not reheated thoroughly before consumption. Some of the common symptoms of foodborne illnesses caused by improperly reheated food include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever.
Additionally, repeatedly reheating food can also affect its nutritional value. Heat-sensitive vitamins, such as Vitamin C and certain B vitamins, can degrade with each reheating cycle, leading to a reduction in the overall nutritional quality of the food. Overheating can also alter the taste and texture of the food, making it less appetizing.
Why Reheating Food Safely is Particularly Important for Indians
India has one of the highest rates of foodborne illnesses in the world, with millions of cases reported each year. This is largely due to the widespread consumption of street food, inconsistent food hygiene standards, and improper food storage and reheating practices. Additionally, many households in India do not have access to modern refrigeration facilities, which means that cooked food is often stored at room temperature for several hours before being reheated. This increases the chances of bacterial contamination.
Given the variety of foods consumed in India—ranging from spicy curries and biryanis to rich gravies and desserts—proper reheating becomes essential to ensure safety. Indian cuisine is often prepared in bulk and consumed over multiple meals, making it particularly susceptible to the growth of harmful bacteria if not stored and reheated correctly. Reheating food to the recommended internal temperature of at least 75°C (165°F) ensures that harmful pathogens are destroyed, and the food becomes safe to eat.
Best Practices for Reheating Food
To prevent foodborne illnesses, it is important to follow some simple best practices when reheating food. Here are some tips for safely reheating your food:
- Ensure Proper Storage: After cooking, store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator if they cannot be consumed immediately. Do not leave food out at room temperature for more than two hours.
- Reheat Evenly: When reheating, ensure that the food is heated evenly. Stir the food occasionally to ensure uniform temperature. Microwaves can heat food unevenly, so it is advisable to stir the food halfway through the reheating process.
- Use a Food Thermometer: To be sure that the food has reached a safe internal temperature of 75°C (165°F), use a food thermometer. This is especially important for meat, poultry, and seafood.
- Avoid Reheating Multiple Times: As mentioned earlier, food should not be reheated more than once. Each cycle of cooling and reheating can create an opportunity for bacteria to grow, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.
- Consume Promptly: Once the food is reheated to the proper temperature, it should be consumed immediately. Do not leave reheated food out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Be Mindful of Leftover Storage: If you plan to store food for future use, make sure to cool it quickly and store it in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking. Large portions of food should be divided into smaller containers for quicker cooling.
- Check for Signs of Spoilage: Always inspect food for any signs of spoilage before reheating, including unusual smells, discoloration, or changes in texture. If the food appears off, discard it rather than risk eating it.
Conclusion
While the convenience of reheating leftovers is undeniable, it is crucial to follow safe food handling practices to avoid the risk of foodborne illnesses. The WHO’s recommendation to reheat food to a safe temperature is a vital step in reducing these risks. For Indians, where food is often prepared in large quantities and consumed over several days, proper reheating is doubly important to safeguard health. By following simple guidelines such as ensuring proper storage, reheating evenly, and avoiding multiple reheating cycles, we can significantly reduce the chances of foodborne illnesses and ensure that our meals are both safe and nutritious.
