Warning for Summer: Beware of Cooked Food Left Out Too Long That Can Harm Your Body, Plus 5 Risky Dishes That May Cause Diarrhea

With this scorching heat, a silent threat surpassing heatstroke is "diarrheal disease." Many people mistakenly believe that just choosing "cooked food" guarantees safety, but the reality might shock you even more. The extreme summer temperatures act like a perfect oven accelerating the rapid growth of bacteria and viruses.

Thairath Online delves into insights from Dr. Uraiwan Simapichet, a hepatologist and gastroenterologist at Vimut Hospital, who will dispel common misconceptions and reveal a list of dangerous dishes that food lovers should watch out for.

Let go of the old belief that cooked food is always 100% safe. Why do people still get diarrhea after eating cooked meals? The answer is that some bacteria are smarter than we think; they can produce "heat-resistant toxins" that remain in food. Even reheating until boiling won't destroy these toxins. Moreover, a critical mistake many make is leaving food at room temperature for more than two hours—the prime time for pathogens to multiply. Additionally, using the same cutting tools for raw and cooked foods is a major cause of contamination.

Check this list of 5 popular summer dishes hiding silent dangers that risk spoilage and diarrhea.

Did you know that your favorite everyday dishes can become breeding grounds for bacteria during summer? Let's check which dishes require special caution.

• Chicken rice & red pork rice: The culprit isn't the meat but the "dipping sauces" and "gravy" containing starch and sugar, which are favorite food sources for bacteria. Left out in the heat at stalls, they spoil quickly.
• Dishes containing coconut milk: Green curry, desserts, or some chili pastes—coconut milk is highly sensitive to heat and spoils rapidly.
• Vegetable salad & salad dressing: Fresh vegetables that are not thoroughly washed often carry residual bacteria. Salad dressings containing raw eggs or mayonnaise, if not refrigerated and left out too long, are easily contaminated.
• Boiled seafood (partially cooked): Hot temperatures greatly favor the growth of Vibrio bacteria. If the seafood is not thoroughly cooked, prepare for stomach upset.
• Leftover fried rice: Cooked rice that wasn't adequately refrigerated before being fried often harbors spores of Bacillus cereus bacteria, which withstand heat well and cause food poisoning.

Clearing doubts: Why do some get diarrhea eating the same dish while others don't?

Have you ever eaten from the same pot of curry with friends but only you got diarrhea? The doctor explains, "People have different immune resistance to pathogens. Some may not be infected but have sensitive intestines reacting to certain substances (like milk or chili spiciness). Importantly, your 'luck of the scoop' matters—if you happen to get the portion with concentrated pathogens, you're the unlucky one that meal."

Ultimate precautions if experiencing diarrhea:

Warning signs include a fever above 38.5°C, mucus or blood in stool, severe cramps, persistent vomiting preventing fluid intake, and dehydration symptoms (dizziness, dry mouth, sunken eyes, dark urine). Seek medical attention immediately. Generally, more than three loose stools a day indicates diarrhea, but with these severe signs, do not ignore them.

Also, "Never self-medicate with anti-diarrheal drugs." Because diarrhea helps expel pathogens from the body, taking medication to stop it can trap bacteria inside the intestines. See a doctor for proper treatment instead.

This summer, enjoy your trips and meals but remember the simple protective mantra: "eat hot food, use serving spoons, wash hands," and try to eat freshly cooked food without leaving leftovers out. This will help keep your intestines safe from summer dangers.