Warning: Which Foods Are Dangerous to Heat in the Microwave?

It's hard to imagine our lives without the device that effortlessly and quickly heats our food. On the other hand, it's important to know that certain foods pose significant risks when microwaved. What foods should you be cautious about?

1.Rice - You might be surprised to hear that leaving rice at room temperature and then heating it can sometimes lead to food poisoning. This is because rice provides a fertile ground for the growth of a particularly resistant bacterium known as Bacillus cereus. A study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology found that while cooking or microwaving can kill the bacteria, toxic spores that are heat resistant may remain on the rice.

Further studies have confirmed that the longer rice is left at room temperature, the greater the risk that the spores will develop into bacteria, which can then reach the digestive system resulting in diarrhea and vomiting. It turns out the perfect environment for them is the warm, humid space between the grains of rice.

Therefore, if you want to keep rice for another time, it's best to refrigerate it quickly. In any case, do not eat it beyond two days.

2. Eggs– It's important to know that when a hard-boiled egg is heated in the microwave, moisture can cause steam to build up, which might cause the egg to explode. Even if it hasn't exploded in the microwave, it might do so later, when placed on a plate.

In recent years, there have been reports of individuals experiencing such unpleasant incidents.

3. Frozen Chicken - The microwave does not heat food evenly, which means not all bacteria present may be destroyed. Generally, in frozen chicken, bacteria can only be completely eliminated through boiling.

Heating chicken in the microwave might lead surviving bacteria to become more resistant and stronger, capable of higher survival rates, which can cause stomach problems.

Consider carefully before heating chicken in the microwave as it is a food at higher risk for harboring dangerous salmonella bacteria.

4. Breast Milk - Here too, due to the microwave's limitation in heating substances evenly, heating breast milk can result in hot and particularly hot spots in the milk, leading to burns in the baby's mouth.

Additionally, it should be noted that most bottles are made from quality plastic free of Bisphenol A, and in rare instances, heating the bottle can expose the baby to carcinogenic components. This is why the FDA recommends heating breast milk only on the stovetop, in the oven, or in a container of hot water.