re: Left out gumbo

quote:

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Spores will form when the gumbo is left out at unsafe temperatures for extended periods of time.

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Yeah but even if spores are present, they need several hours at rm temp to grow into bacteria that will make you sick. There are bacterial and fungal spores in our general environment everywhere. They are present in raw flour, on the outside of vegetables, etc. but only become a problem when in a wet, warm environment for an extended period of time. When you cook food you kill the living bacteria and fungi present in and on food. As stated earlier spores may still be present, whether first time cooked or second. That’s why we refrigerate food after cooking, so spores (and other bacteria and fungi present in air) can’t contaminate and grow in the food enough to get us sick. So if he re-boils the gumbo then refrigerates it, it will be safe. Or as safe as it was the first time.