Kim Lindsey, a registered dietitian in Australia, revealed to Daily Mail four foods that are very risky to reheat - and four that are actually good, contrary to popular belief.
Not safe: eggs
It seems to last forever—up to six weeks—in the fridge before you cook it. But if you have leftover eggs from yesterday's breakfast, there are more risks.
Eggs can carry the salmonella bacteria that causes food poisoning, and leaving them out for extended periods gives the bacteria more time to multiply.
Lindsey says that eggs, stored at temperatures between 40 and 165 degrees Fahrenheit, are "risky".
She said: "Pathogens can grow at a faster rate when it is at this temperature. And if there are more pathogens and harmful bacteria in the food, there is an increased risk of food poisoning when we eat it."
The US Food and Drug Administration advises not to leave eggs or dishes containing eggs out of the refrigerator for more than two hours, or one hour in hot weather.
The difficulty with a microwave is that it can be a bit uneven when heating something. "Sometimes it's hot on the edges and cold in the middle or vice versa," Lindsey said.
Not safe: rice
TikTok users have claimed that heating leftover rice caused them food poisoning.
This is because cooked rice contains Bacillus cereus, a spore-forming bacteria commonly found in soil and vegetables.
They are found in many raw and unprocessed foods, including potatoes, peas, beans, and some spices.
"Rice is very risky," Lindsey said. These spores are heat resistant, so even when you heat them, they can still cause harmful pathogens.
Symptoms of illness from Bacillus cereus include vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
Unsafe: Spinach
Reheating spinach can be directly linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Leafy green vegetables like spinach contain compounds called nitrates. When heated, nitrates can break down into other compounds that increase the risk of cancer. Nitrates on their own are harmless. However, bacteria that already live in the mouth and enzymes in the body can convert it into nitrites and then into nitrosamines. These have carcinogenic properties.
One study estimated that people get about 80% of their dietary nitrate from vegetables.
Nitrates are also found in fennel, radishes, carrots and turnips.
Additionally, if spinach is not heated properly, listeria bacteria can live on it.
This can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that leads to fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, stiff neck, confusion and even seizures.
Not safe: potatoes
Similar to rice, the problem with potatoes is not the heat itself but rather leaving it outside for too long.
Also, storing it at room temperature for more than two hours puts it in the "risk zone", which can lead to the growth of C. botulinum.
This causes food poisoning, a condition in which toxins attack the body's nerves and can cause difficulty breathing.
It results in symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
There is also an increased risk of food poisoning with baked potatoes cooked in foil.
Lindsey says part of the dangers mashed potatoes pose is their perishable ingredients, such as milk, butter and cream.
Safe: fish
Despite its negative reputation for leaving a foul odor in the office microwave, fish carries little risk when reheated the next day.
"Fish is completely safe to reheat," Lindsey said.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that fresh seafood caught and then immediately frozen is safe for reheating.
Like rice and eggs, avoid keeping them at room temperature for more than two hours at a time.
And while you can pop it in the microwave and not get sick, heating it this way can dry it out and ruin its texture. Cooking it in the oven or on the stove can prevent it from drying out.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends keeping cooked fish in the refrigerator for no more than three to four days and making sure it is cooked to a temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Safe: meat
Deli meats have long been a source of panic because of listeria warnings.
However, Lindsey said there is no reason to be afraid. She added, "If it is cooked and heated, it is completely safe."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends heating deli meats and cheeses to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill listeria.
This condition is caused by a bacterial infection that someone gets after eating contaminated food.
Safe: milk
Since it's a perishable food, there's probably a bit more concern, such as the need to put an "expiration" date on milk. So you want to make sure you stick to that," Lindsey said.
However, Lindsey said heating it to a high temperature can kill forms of bacteria such as listeria, salmonella and E-coli. The high heat will destroy those bacteria hence it should be safe to consume.
Safe: chicken
Although it will probably have a better texture and taste on the stovetop or in the oven, it's still safe to reheat chicken in the microwave. The key is to flip it every two minutes until it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
This will reduce the risk of contracting salmonella.
Lindsay said chicken poses little safety risk as long as it's not left out for more than two hours.
The Food and Drug Administration also recommends storing cooked chicken in the refrigerator for no more than 1 to 2 days.
Pediatricians in Europe are sounding alarm bells due to a shortage of medicines
Several European pediatricians have warned of a shortage of medicines for children, including antibiotics and asthma treatments.
Doctors said in a letter addressed to health ministers on Saturday that "it is necessary to find a quick, reliable and lasting solution" to the problems faced by drug stocks in Europe.
They added: "The health of our children and young people is at risk due to the lack of medicines across Europe."
The letter was addressed to the health ministers of Austria, France, Germany, the Italian region of South Tyrol and Switzerland.
Doctors noted that it is the responsibility of political decision makers to ensure adequate production and supply to ensure that essential medicines are available for childcare.
They added that it is essential that antibiotics, pain relievers, fever and asthma medications, and vaccines be available.
Responding to the letter on Saturday, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach wrote on Twitter that the concerns were "fully justified", noting that a law aimed at addressing drug delivery issues was currently before the German parliament.
During the winter season, Europe witnessed a shortage of antibiotics and other medicines, as the increasing diseases, especially among children, caused an increase in the demand for medicines.
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