Cleveland Clinic warns that bad practice at festive dinners increases food poisoning

• Allan Capin, of Cleveland Clinic, warns of the rise in food poisoning at end-of-year dinners and explains how to store and reheat food safely.

Cleveland. – With the end-of-year celebrations under way, Allan Capin, a family medicine specialist at Cleveland Clinic, warns of the rise in foodborne illness and shares essential recommendations for preventing emergencies.

As he explains, one of the most common mistakes is leaving perishable food at room temperature for too long. “Perishable food should not be left out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the room temperature is above 90°F / 32°C. After that, bacteria multiply quickly and we see patients with severe dehydration and vomiting because of it.”

Another of the main precautions concerns reheating proteins properly, especially at gatherings where large quantities of food are served. Capin recalls that safe internal temperatures are essential: “Chicken and turkey: 165°F (74°C). Pork and beef: 145°F (63°C) for whole cuts, 160°F (71°C) for minced meat. Seafood: 145°F (63°C).” He also stresses the importance of keeping hot food at 140°F (60°C) or above and cold food at 40°F (4°C) or below.

Over the holidays it is common for people to eat leftovers, which can also be a risk if the food is not stored properly. “We frequently treat patients with severe gastroenteritis, dehydration and even sepsis from bacteria such as Listeria or Clostridium perfringens.” Among preventive measures, he recommends refrigerating leftovers immediately, keeping them in shallow containers and eating them within 3–4 days.

Capin explains that the main risks of badly handled leftovers include bacterial growth, food poisoning, cross-contamination and spoilage with the formation of toxins. Among them, he stresses that “pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli multiply quickly if food is left at unsafe temperatures”, which is why it should be refrigerated within 2 hours at most and the fridge kept at ≤40°F (4°C). On food poisoning, he recalls that symptoms such as “nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever” can require hospital treatment.

On cross-contamination, the doctor warns: “Storing raw and cooked food together can spread bacteria.” He therefore recommends using sealed containers and

keeping raw meat apart from ready-to-eat food. He also warns that “some bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus) produce toxins that reheating does not destroy”, which is why leftovers should be thrown away after 3–4 days in the fridge or between 2–6 months if kept frozen.

The expert also sets out the right way to store and reheat leftovers to minimise risk: “Refrigerate within 2 hours in airtight containers. Reheat thoroughly to 165°F (74°C). Stir or turn the food so it heats evenly. Only reheat what you are going to eat — reheating several times increases the risk.”

Finally, Capin urges people to watch for signs that a dish is no longer safe, even if it looks fine. Among them he mentions: “a sour or unusual smell, a slimy or sticky texture, discolouration (grey, green), patches of mould and unexpected bubbling or fizzing.” And he closes with a warning: “Some toxins remain even after reheating. If you suspect food has gone off, do not taste it: throw it away. In A&E we see serious cases from leftovers that ‘looked fine’.”

About Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit multispecialty academic medical centre that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care built on the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 70,800 employees worldwide are more than 4,660 salaried physicians and researchers, and 18,500 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialities and subspecialities. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,500-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 19 hospitals, more than 220 outpatient centres and locations in southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and London, England. In 2020, there were a total of 8.7 million outpatient visits, 273,000 hospital admissions and observations and 217,000 surgical cases across the Cleveland Clinic health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries.