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Love eating potato salad at picnics? Doctors explain why it's more dangerous for your health than you can imagine

You should avoid eating this salad at picnics or outings as much as possible. And no, the reason is not related to the recipe or the taste.

BY ANGELINA DSOUZA

PUBLISHED OCT 20, 2024

Representative Cover Image Source: (L) Family seated outdoors at the table for a meal| Skynesher- Getty Images, (R)Bowl of potato salad on a table along with other food items| Mannamartysheva- Getty Images

Think of fries, hash browns, wafers and so many other delicacies the magical vegetable potato gives. One of the prominent foods one can recall is that of mashed potatoes and salads. The mouth-watering items are always on every picnic list as a side dish or just as a favorite. While it can be a dreamy burst of flavor, potato salads should not be consumed at picnics or on outings, suggest doctors and experts. Moreover, they are against the former for an eye-opening reason. Dr. Lindsay, from the Academy MedCLE, shared in a video why he’d never eat a potato salad at a BBQ or picnic with one shocking self-explanatory phrase.

Representative Image Source: Potato salad made from boiled potatoes, boiled eggs, onions, celery, mustard, pickle, mayonnaise and paprika dressing. Ingredients on background| Olgar Mazyarkina| Getty Images

The doctor said, “I don’t eat potato salad anymore. Because all the med school tests about food-borne illnesses are always related to potato salads at picnics.” His shocking revelation in a few seconds left people flabbergasted and heartbroken. The favorite food is now a concern for health and people are not a fan of the news. @teckio24 said, “I can’t be the only one devastated.” @froggyspells added, “I only trust my own potato salad.” However, there is a more detailed explanation and understanding of the same. In the caption, it was revealed that bacteria “thrive” in many ingredients used in potato salads, especially the potatoes. When taken to warmer temperatures at outings and picnics, the risk of the bacteria increases significantly.

Representative Image Source: Shot of a mother and daughter in the process of preparing a fresh and healthy salad| Tang Ming Tung| Getty Images — Representative Image Source: Shot of a mother and daughter in the process of preparing a fresh and healthy salad| Tang Ming Tung-Getty Images

“When left out in a danger temperature zone of 40-140 degrees, for more than two hours, the amount of bacteria can grow massively,” the caption read. When you think of it that way, no one wants to be soaking in the sun and a bowl full of bacteria-infused potato salad! The Michigan State University also revealed that many cases of food poisoning during summertime are often caused by food items including potatoes. The potato salad is ideally targeted, as many of the ingredients are prone to soaking up bacteria in higher temperatures. The outlet shared a unique acronym, “FAT-TOM” to remember how bacteria works and grows.

Representative Image Source: Big family sitting having a picnic in a city park, enjoying a meal| Solovyova| Getty Images — Representative Image Source: Big family sitting having a picnic in a city park, enjoying a meal| Solovyova- Getty Images

Starting with “F”- it stands for food. Bacteria need proteins as much as we do. Thus, all the food items we hope to feast upon are also a source of living for bacteria. “A”- Acidity. Bacteria don’t like acidic conditions and are likely to be around food items with a higher pH. Unfortunately, potatoes, eggs and similar items are the perfect spots for them! The two “T”s stand for temperature and time. If food items are left in dangerous temperatures for longer periods, the bacteria would be delighted to spread all over. The last two “O” and “M” stand for oxygen and moisture and explain why dry food items are more durable than perishables. Bacteria hate thriving in dehydrated environments. Potatoes, chicken, and similar foods are, therefore, a paradise for the unruly creatures.

Image Source: TikTok|@leebitsolemyicecream

Potatoes are relatively great to eat and also easy to cook. Just keep in mind the factors that can immediately change a bowl of potato salad into a layer of bacteria - temperature, time of exposure, ingredients and moisture. If you still can’t do without it, just place those salads into a cooler and keep them away from room temperature and you can consume them guilt-free!

@academymedcle Replying to @Aubrey ♬ original sound - academymedCLE

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