Latest news with #JoeWhittington
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Leftovers can kill: Fried rice syndrome and the food poisoning bacteria you have never heard of
1 2 We've all been there—ordering in, cooking extra, and saving that delicious fried rice for the next day. But what if that seemingly harmless leftover meal could be a ticking time bomb? In a tragic case reported in Belgium, in 2008, a young adult died suddenly after consuming rice contaminated with Bacillus cereus. The individual had eaten fried rice that had been left at room temperature for several days. Within hours of consumption, he experienced severe symptoms and died. This is based on information from the study "Sudden Death of a Young Adult Associated with Bacillus cereus Food Poisoning " published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. "On 1 October 2008, a 20-year-old man became sick after eating a meal of leftovers of spaghetti with tomato sauce, which had been prepared 5 days before and left in the kitchen at room temperature. After school, he warmed the spaghetti in the microwave oven. Immediately after eating, he left home for his sports activities, but he returned 30 min later because of headache, abdominal pain, and nausea. At his arrival, he vomited profusely for several hours and at midnight had two episodes of watery diarrhea. He did not receive any medication and drank only water. After midnight, he fell asleep. The next morning at 11:00 AM, his parents were worried because he did not get up. When they went to his room, they found him dead," the report says. Fried rice syndrome A few years later, an American ER doctor, Joe Whittington decided to create awareness around this common practice of handling food. He took to TikTok to share a video where he cautioned people to not eat pasta and rice dishes that have not been refrigerated properly. "This 20-year-old man died of a condition that's commonly referred to as 'fried rice syndrome'. This is a condition in which you have bacterial overgrowth if pasta or rice is left at room temperature for too long. In medical school, we're taught the phrase 'Reheat rice? Be serious!' to remember which bacteria [b. cereus] causes this condition. So, how long is too long? You should not eat pasta or rice left at room temperature, unrefrigerated, for more than two hours," Express UK quoted him. Tips to handle leftover rice and pasta Bacillus cereus is a type of bacteria commonly found in soil and on raw foods. It thrives in starchy foods like rice, pasta, and potatoes. When these foods are cooked and then left at room temperature, B. cereus can multiply rapidly, producing toxins that cause food poisoning. "A broad range of foods have been implicated as vehicles of B. cereus. These include boiled or fried rice, cooked vegetables and meats, pasta, vanilla sauce, custards, casseroles, pastries, salads, soups, ice cream, and herbs and spices," USDA NIFA has said. While Bacillus cereus food poisoning is often mild and resolves without treatment, the potential for severe illness or death as in the case cited above exists, especially if food is mishandled. By following simple food safety practices , you can enjoy your leftovers without worry. Remember, when it comes to food safety, it's always better to be cautious than sorry. Preventing B. cereus food poisoning is straightforward with proper food handling practices: Refrigerate cooked rice within two hours of cooking. If the room temperature is above 32°C (90°F), refrigerate within one hour. Keep leftovers in shallow containers to allow for quick cooling. When reheating rice, ensure it reaches a temperature of 75°C (165°F) to kill any bacteria present. If in doubt, throw it out. It's better to waste a little food than risk your health. Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Business Mayor
01-05-2025
- Health
- Business Mayor
Doctor warns 'dangerous' leftover rice and pasta mistake is putting lives at risk
A doctor has warned the public about the dangers of improperly storing leftover rice and pasta. It's common practice to save excess food or takeaway for the next day to avoid wastage. The process for most foods is straightforward: let it cool, then refrigerate. However, an American ER doctor, Joe Whittington, has raised alarm bells about preserving any dishes containing rice or pasta. In a TikTok video, he reacted to another user's post recounting the tragic tale of a 20-year-old man who died after consuming five-day-old pasta that hadn't been refrigerated. The young man was studying in Belgium when he tragically lost his life in 2008 after eating spaghetti leftovers, which he had prepared five days earlier and left out at room temperature instead of refrigerating. Soon after consuming the pasta, he fell ill with severe vomiting and gastrointestinal symptoms, and by the following morning, he was found dead. An autopsy revealed acute liver failure, and tests showed high levels of a bacterium known as Bacillus cereus in the pasta, according to the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. In his video, Dr Joe cautioned that although most of us wouldn't eat five-day-old pasta anyway, Bacillus cereus can develop in pasta and rice dishes rapidly, exposing you to risks within hours rather than days. He elaborated: 'This 20-year-old man died of a condition that's commonly referred to as 'fried rice syndrome'. This is a condition in which you have bacterial overgrowth if pasta or rice is left at room temperature for too long. 'In medical school, we're taught the phrase 'Reheat rice? Be serious!' to remember which bacteria [b. cereus] causes this condition. 'So, how long is too long? You should not eat pasta or rice left at room temperature, unrefrigerated, for more than two hours.' The NHS advises that rice should be cooled within an hour of cooking and then immediately stored in the fridge or freezer. It should also be consumed within 24 hours and never reheated more than once. Viewers of Dr Joe's video had mixed reactions. Many claimed they've never fallen ill after consuming pasta or rice that has been left at room temperature for over two hours. However, some highlighted that the two-hour rule doesn't guarantee food poisoning or death from eating rice or pasta left on the kitchen counter. This is merely when the bacteria begin to multiply, meaning your risk of food poisoning escalates the longer it is left out. What to do if you have food poisoning Food poisoning is typically not severe and generally improves within a week. Symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea can often be managed at home, with the key being to stay hydrated to avoid dehydration. It's also crucial to get plenty of rest and eat when possible – but steer clear of fatty or spicy foods, which could further irritate your sensitive stomach. The NHS also recommends avoiding fruit juice or fizzy drinks, as these can exacerbate diarrhoea. You should call 111 if: You're worried about a baby under 12 months A child under five years has signs of dehydration (such as fewer wet nappies) You or your child have signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets You or your child keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down You or your child have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottom You or your child have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days You should call 999 if you or your child: Vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffee Have green vomit (adults) Have yellow-green or green vomit (children) May have swallowed something poisonous Have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights Have a sudden, severe headache Have a sudden, severe tummy ache Have blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet Are having severe difficulty breathing, or taking lots of quick, short breaths Are confused or not responding as usual You can find more information on food poisoning via the NHS website. READ SOURCE
New York Times
20-03-2025
- Health
- New York Times
What Is Cognitive Shuffling?
Dr. Joe Whittington, 47, has been an emergency room physician for two decades, but he can still find it tough to quiet his mind after leaving the hospital. As he tried to doze off after one particularly chaotic shift, he kept thinking about a victim of a motorcycle crash whose vital signs had tanked, a patient who developed sepsis and another whose heart had suddenly stopped beating. His tendency to replay the night's events — and his irregular work hours — often made it tricky for him to fall asleep. Over the years, he tried deep breathing, meditation and melatonin, before finally stumbling upon a technique called cognitive shuffling. The sleep strategy helps to 'force my mind out of that loop and into a state where I can finally rest,' said Dr. Whittington, who has shared it on his Instagram account, which has more than 750,000 followers. 'Cognitive shuffling' has been touted on social media for years, but does it really work? We spoke with sleep experts and the scientist who created the technique to learn more. Cognitive shuffling is a mental exercise that involves focusing your mind on words that have no association with one another, as a way of signaling to your brain that it's time to fall asleep. The task is meant to be engaging enough to distract you from the thoughts that may be preventing you from falling asleep, but not so interesting that your brain perks up. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
