FDA urges a ‘3-5-2’ food safety formulaAVOIDING ILLNESS: Leftover food should be reheated to a core temperature of 70°C or higher to kill most bacteria that might have grown during storage, the FDA saidBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday offered a “3-5-2 formula” — three tips for reheating food safely, five food sanitation and safety guidelines, and two types of food to avoid — to ensure food safety and prevent foodborne illnesses during the Lunar New Year holiday. With the long holiday approaching, families are likely to gather for a traditional reunion dinner and other festive feasts, and leftovers are frequently reheated for subsequent meals, but there are risks of food poisoning if food is stored or reheated improperly, the FDA said. The food safety “temperature danger zone” is roughly between 7°C to 60°C, it said, adding that food poisoning bacteria can quickly grow to unsafe levels or even produce toxins when food is kept in this temperature range, so people should remember three key points for reheating food safely. The FDA suggested that people keep in mind five principles for food sanitation and safety. The FDA said that people should avoid two types of foods — drinking untreated mountain spring water, and eating unknown plants and animals.

Source: Taipei Times February 11, 2026 17:17 UTC