You’re not supposed to defrost meats in warm water due to harmful bacteria growth, you’re not supposed to leave food at room temperature for long without being refrigerated because of harmful growth but, when you go to a buffet, food can sit out for hours under heat lamps and be fine?
In: Biology
As a former restaurant manager, I’d bet $100 that food poisoning is much more common in (especially cheap American) buffets than people realize.
Most food poisoning is relatively low-grade in nature, meaning that instead of getting sick to the point of death you merely feel the urge to race to the nearest toilet a short while after eating. It’s a form of harm but your body mostly handles it unless you’re immunocompromised in some fashion.
Just one thing to point out is that people get food poisoning from buffets all the time.
The food handling guidelines are well grounded and backed by science, and when the food is handled appropriately (see the other posts), the risk is very low. But it’s often mishandled, and that’s why people get sick at restaurants and especially buffets.
In addition to what everyone else is saying about the temperature danger zone, food also needs to be at that temp for a few hours before it has enough chance to grow enough bacteria to be considered unsafe.
If a buffet goes through food fast enough it’s safe as long as they ensure they throw out any food that’s been out too long. But defrosting meat often takes quite a while which is why it’s particularly dangerous to do incorrectly.
Food Safety Microbiologist for a state regulatory agency here.
1.). The top post nailed it, and I’m very exited that so many people chimed in with correct info!
2.). As always, there are exceptions. Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono.) can grow – albeit slowly- under 40 degree refrigeration temps. So what about deli meat in a supermarket? They must have date marking in place to track when the package was first opened, and discard any remaining after 7 days. (L. mono. Is bad. Especially for the unborn. It has about a 25% fetal loss rate if the mother contracts it. The reason they tell expectant moms to avoid deli sandwiches.)
3.). I frequently reference Too Gun, Danger Zone and Kenny Loggins in a training PowerPoint I would give on the subject. I am thrilled there is a new Top Gun coming out so this remains relevant!
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