John’s elderly mom, Hannah, hasn’t been much of a cook throughout his upbringing.
The Unplanned Meals
Hannah occasionally prepared a Sunday dinner or a random meal during the week.
A Week with Grandparents
John, who is almost 30, his breastfeeding wife, and two kids are visiting his retired parents for the week.
The Special Dish
His mom has been eagerly looking forward to preparing them a special dish.
Cooking a Jambalaya Masterpiece
So, on their last evening, she cooked a jambalaya masterpiece.
The Stew’s Secret
She insisted it tastes better when allowed to sit for a day, to be enjoyed the following day.
A Hearty Meal
The tomato-based stew recipe included sausages, bacon, vegetables, and other ingredients. She finished cooking around 9 p.m. and let the food rest on the stove.
A Morning Surprise
By 10 a.m. the following morning, the covered pot had sat on the stove for over 12 hours. John believed his mother did not intend to touch it again until she started preparing the rice later that day for their dinner.
Research Findings
After researching, John was sure that that dish, mainly because it contained meat, could not be left out for long.
The Difficult Conversation
John had to tell his mother that he and his family would not risk eating that dish.
Anticipating Mom’s response
He already started anticipating what his mother would say in response. He assumed it would be something like, “I’ve been feeding you all your life, and you’ve turned out just fine. I do this regularly, and I’ve never fallen ill. Don’t believe everything you read online,” and so on.
Help!
John posted on one online forum asking if he was wrong for wanting to address the matter with his mother and not allowing his family to consume the food.
Cautious Advice
One user replied, affirming that it’s true that stews and jambalayas can taste better the following day but stressed the importance of refrigerating and reheating them. They cautioned against consuming anything from that pot.
Taking a Stand
Another user joined the conversation, asking why parents are fine with leaving food out while believing that food safety only applies to restaurants. They shared their experience of standing up to their mother, stating they would discard any food sitting for too long, leaving no room for argument.
Expert Perspective
One user explained how food left out can breed harmful bacteria due to inadequate temperature control, resulting in severe illness. They advised from the perspective of someone with restaurant experience and who had done food safety courses.
Sneaky Rescue Plan
One user suggested a strategy: “Announce that there’s a mess on the stove and that you’re in the process of cleaning it up. While doing this, intentionally lift the pot, pretend to trip over your feet, and apologize for your clumsiness. Then, proceed to clean up the mess and offer to take everyone out to dinner or order takeout.” They continued, “In doing so, you’ve saved your life and that of your wife, children, and parents, who might have been affected by the food safety issue.”
Health Inspector’s Warning
Another user, claiming to be a health inspector, strongly advised against consuming the food. They noted that the food code states a 4-hour window to cool down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit after cooking. They suggested that he might stretch this to 6 or even 8 hours. However, after 12+ hours, the food becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.
A Tactful but Gracious Approach
Another user recommended an honest and considerate approach with his mom. They advised that John suggest telling his mother that the dish smelled wonderful the previous day but express his concern about consuming it. They said he offered to purchase the ingredients and remake the dish together, ensuring it’s refrigerated afterward. The user concluded by saying that everyone would enjoy the meal without any concerns about getting sick.
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Susan is the founder of Susan's Socials, a social media agency focused on Flipboard. She is also a content curator, encouraging a healthy lifestyle through topics such as pets, food, travel, home decor, gardening, and fashion.
