Now that the holiday season is here, let's talk food safety! While the temptation to thaw holiday dishes on the counter is real, food safety experts have some eye-opening insights about this common practice.
- Here's what might surprise you:
🔹 Bacteria can multiply to over 1 billion in just 10 hours at room temperature
🔹 The "2-hour rule" exists for a reason—food left out longer needs to be discarded
🔹 Even when nothing "bad" seems to happen, symptoms can take days to appear
Safe thawing alternatives? Your refrigerator is your friend! Cold running water or the microwave's defrost setting are your best backup options for last-minute needs. Check out the following article for more tips this holiday season: Food Safety Tips