Going to the beach or swimming pool with friends and family is usually the most natural thing to do in the summer, and also the perfect activity to relieve yourself during the heat. In such cases, some people prefer to take food with them, ready to eat, in case hunger sets in after swimming. However, Did you know that this practice may have a certain level of danger? And of course, the reason has to do with how long food can be stored without refrigeration.
In hot times like summer, Food outside the refrigerator can be a real danger. Finished products can be left without refrigeration for no more than two hours. After this time, it begins to turn into a real broth of bacterial growth, which will only get worse over time, and this effect is even stronger during periods of heat.
It is a terrible mistake to rely on the smell or appearance of food. They have been in heat for a long time. Although it may seem inconsistent with what we know about the decomposition of organic matter, food that has not been refrigerated for several hours will not have an unpleasant smell or color. However, on its surface we will find a preparation of bacteria that can be harmful to health.
The same applies to heating food in a microwave or on a stove. will not kill these bacteriaIn fact, you may even increase your risk of poisoning.
What’s the worst thing that can happen to us from eating unrefrigerated food?
Of course, you probably won’t think about the consequences of eating unrefrigerated food when you’re at the pool or on the beach with friends and a couple of beers in your system, which is also much more harmful in hot weather. However, if you manage to read this before you go on holiday this summer, there may be salvation.
Eating unrefrigerated food can have several consequences, even if it has only been out in the summer heat for a couple of hours. About 30 minutes to four hours. your system may begin to show symptoms of gastroenteritisThis can lead to colic, vomiting, explosive diarrhea, and if it reaches extreme limits, to dehydration, which is undesirable during hot weather.
The cause is staphylococcus. bacteria capable of producing enterotoxinswhich can lead to the above mentioned intestinal infection.
Cooling is essential to avoid infection this summer
If you want to avoid getting this type of infection, it is important not to eat unrefrigerated food. If you have no other choice, The maximum time will be two hours.and on very hot days, like the ones we experienced in Spain, this window looks reduced to one hour after its preparation.
The solution, if you have no other choice, will cool products at a maximum temperature of 5 degrees Celsius.. The best way to do this is to transport them in a cooler with ice if you are at a place like a pool or beach. This will ensure that they are ready to eat when the time comes. However, if you are planning to eat it in a few days, storing it in the freezer will be absolutely necessary.
If you are going to store it in the refrigerator, Let it cool naturally first. If you make it hot, it can negatively affect the rest of the food inside. Plus, you’ll also make the appliance work twice as hard, as I commented. Avant-garde European expert on food quality and safety Gabriela Brieba.
Source: Hiper Textual
