Cai Png Vs Bento Set Vs Salad: Which is Likelier To Give Food Poisoning

Last Updated on 2022-11-19 , 10:32 pm

Food safety has been in the spotlight recently especially with the mass food poisonings experienced by both the young and old of Singapore.

So, what food is likelier to give food poisoning?

Bacteria In Catered Food: A Lab Test

CNA took three different types of food to the lab for testing.

Malay mixed rice

A bento set

And a salmon salad

Their aim? To figure out which type of food is likelier to give you food poisoning.

The number of bacteria in food was measured at different intervals:

• Immediately
• After four hours
• After six hours

Findings

According to the food safety expert who was helping with this study, Mr Richard Khaw, food is considered to be in the “unsafe zone” when bacteria count in the food exceed 100,000.

Zero Hours

• Malay Mixed Rice: 300
• Bento Set: 64,000
• Salmon Salad: > 100,000 (unsafe)

Four Hours

• Malay Mixed Rice: 600
• Bento Set: > 100,000 (unsafe)

Six Hours

• Malay Mixed Rice: 920

Winner: Cai Png

The biggest loser: Salad.

Does That Mean No One Should Eat Salad?

Not true. One thing to note is that, in this study, zero hours don’t mean the time the food was served, but when it was received.

That means, prepared at another place and delivered to you.

So if you were to makan at the salad bar, chances are you’re pretty safe (unless the place itself has a food safety and hygiene rating of “C”.

But if you were to look for GrabFood or other food delivery services to send you salad, you might want to rethink again.

And, of course, this also means cutting up your salad and bringing it to your office for lunch isn’t advisable too.

So if you think you’re being healthy by packing your own salad to bring to work? You’re not.

Rule of the Thumb: Look For Piping Hot Food

The reason why the cai fan has the lowest bacteria count is that it was cooked thoroughly. Most bacteria are killed at 75 degrees Celsius and above.

But if you were to buy mixed rice at the end of the day, you might end up with food with a higher bacteria count because they’ve been left without a heat source for hours.

In other words, if there are uncooked ingredients in the food, eat at the place itself, or as soon as possible.

If the food is cooked thoroughly, you might be able to get away with one or two hours.

Watch the full video here:

Featured Image: Eating Bird Food & Food Hunter 探食 / Youtube.com