Health Tips: How long should non-veg be kept in the lunch box? There is a risk of getting sick if kept for longer than this | News India

In fact, non-vegetarian foods such as meat, poultry and seafood contain nutrients and moisture, which are necessary for the growth of bacteria including Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter and Listeria monocytogenes bacteria grow easily. If you pack a non-veg lunch box and keep it for hours, it can be dangerous for you. This is especially worrying in hot climates or summer months when the room temperature easily exceeds 20 °C (68 °F).

In such conditions, bacteria like Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus can spread rapidly in cooked chicken or meat, increasing the risk of food poisoning.

Raw or undercooked meat: These may contain bacteria (Campylobacter, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus), which can grow rapidly if not stored properly.

Seafood: Fish, shrimp and other seafood spoil quickly at room temperature and should be avoided unless they can be refrigerated.

Dairy-based sauces: Meat or poultry cooked in creamy or dairy-based sauces (like butter chicken or creamy pasta) tends to spoil more quickly due to the perishable nature of dairy.