An expert has highlighted a potentially hazardous action you should steer clear of when consuming leftover takeout.
After a strenuous day at work, nothing beats coming home, turning on the TV, and ordering a takeout meal.
Who wants to cook following a tough day at the office?
If you overestimated your appetite, you might have leftovers for the next day’s meal, but it’s crucial to be cautious when reheating it.
It’s common knowledge that rice should be reheated to at least 165 degrees to eliminate the risk of a toxin-producing bacterium known as Bacillus cereus.
Emily Hovis, an assistant teaching professor at the University of Washington School of Public Health, explained to Right as Rain by UW Medicine: “[The bacteria] survives the initial cooking process as a spore and if [the rice is] left out at room temperature, it’ll produce toxins.
“So even when you reheat [rice], you’re killing the vegetative cells, you’re not destroying the toxins.”
Experts also advise against reheating takeaway food in the same container it arrived in from the restaurant.
Shanina Knighton, an associate professor at Case Western Reserve University, stated to her employer: “When these plastics are heated, they can break down and release harmful chemicals into your food, increasing your exposure to toxins.
“The hotter, greasier, or more acidic your food is, the more likely these chemicals will leach into your meal.”
Medical professionals warn that using plastic containers to reheat food in microwaves could heighten exposure to microplastics, potentially raising the risk of dementia.
Dr Nicholas Fabiano from the University of Ottawa’s Department of Psychiatry and lead author of the commentary, pointed out: “The dramatic increase in brain microplastic concentrations over just eight years, from 2016 to 2024, is particularly alarming.
“This rise mirrors the exponential increase we’re seeing in environmental microplastic levels.”
Dr Brandon Luu, an Internal Medicine Resident at the University of Toronto, advised considering alternatives to plastic for reheating food.
He mentioned: “Heating food in plastic containers—especially in the microwave can release substantial amounts of microplastics and nanoplastics.
“Avoiding plastic food storage and using glass or stainless steel alternatives is a small but meaningful step in limiting exposure.”
Food Network suggests using glass bowls or plates when reheating leftover meals.