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Original poster

‘Do not reheat.’ Anyone know why? What’s the worst that can happen?

28 replies

maldivemoment · 30/07/2025 07:16

Bought M&S microwaveable macaroni cheese. Heated it in the oven. Long story short, didn’t get round to eating it. Loathe to throw it away but instructions state it should not be reheated. Anyone know why? When I make mac’n’cheese at home I’ll happily nuke it several times in the microwave.
Thoughts? Advice? Should I risk it?

Thank you.

OP posts:
crookkkkk · 30/07/2025 07:22

All These instructions are to cover the manufacturers arses ! Same as pharmaceutical manufacturers list every 1 in a million side effect.
Shove MacnCheese in microwave and give it a good blast …enjoy.

the80sweregreat · 30/07/2025 07:22

As it’s not meat , I would personally reheat it and I’m sure it would be fine. I’m sure others might disagree, but I doubt it will hurt or give you food poisoning.

Anchorage56 · 30/07/2025 07:24

I would reheat. It's the same with use by dates- you have a day after at least, the manufacturers have to play it safe.

Andbegin · 30/07/2025 07:26

It’s because they don’t know how throughly anyone cooked it first time round.
And how you stored it afterwards.
It will be fine.

autienotnaughty · 30/07/2025 07:27

I think it’s because it’s been cooked then cooled/frozen and then you are cooking it again. You’re not meant to reheat any food twice due to bacteria risks.

but you would probably be fine

Myblueclematis · 30/07/2025 07:27

I get annoyed at this, I reheat stuff all the time, it's absolutely fine as long as it's done properly.

At Christmas, I can't ever use up a Christmas pudding in one go, not everyone likes it, the label says do not reheat. I'm not going to waste something I like so I reheat it the next day or whenever. As someone upthread says, it's covering the manufacturer's arse.

Givemestrengthanddetermination · 30/07/2025 07:29

As I understand it there are two possible reasons for not reheating certain dishes: either the risk of bacteria growth and therefore chance of illness, or that the texture of the food will be altered and it simply won't be very nice to eat.

In the case of your macaroni cheese I would reckonthere's a chance it simply won't be as nice to eat rather than it causing illness

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 30/07/2025 07:29

I’d reheat but wouldn’t if it was meat

FrenchandSaunders · 30/07/2025 07:30

I reheat everything. Never had any probs.

Screamingabdabz · 30/07/2025 07:32

I wouldn’t reheat rice or meat but Mac n’ Cheese, no probs.

solando · 30/07/2025 07:33

I would reheat that but not a meat dish

Original poster
maldivemoment · 30/07/2025 08:26

Lunch sorted! Thanks all. 👍🏻

OP posts:
BCBird · 30/07/2025 08:28

Why isn't it called macaroni cheese anymore?

the80sweregreat · 30/07/2025 09:18

It is called macaroni cheese isn’t it? Or Mac n cheese as a short version.

MiniPantherOwner · 30/07/2025 09:34

It's because every time you heat food it goes through the optimum temperature range for bacteria to multiply. That's why there are food safety guidelines for any one selling food. They state that food must not be reheated more than once and retailers have to put this in the instructions. It's up to you if you want to risk it. I don't think macaroni and cheese would probably present much of a risk, but it also depends on how long it was out of the fridge for after you heated it and how long you've been storing it since. High risk foods like rice I definitely wouldn't reheat more than once personally.

CorvusPurpureus · 30/07/2025 10:25

It's because they have to assume you are an idiot, who left it out on the counter on a hot day for the next 12 hours because you forgot to eat it, then gave it a desultory 30 second blast to warm the listeria up a bit...Confused

Also they're assuming you're a litigious idiot who will then sue their arse when the world falls out of your arse.

Obviously most people aren't that dumb, but they have to cater to the lowest denominator.

Plus tbh, it'll probably be a bit mushy &/or dried out after reheating twice, & they don't want you complaining it wasn't nice.

Original poster
maldivemoment · 30/07/2025 10:45

CorvusPurpureus · 30/07/2025 10:25

It's because they have to assume you are an idiot, who left it out on the counter on a hot day for the next 12 hours because you forgot to eat it, then gave it a desultory 30 second blast to warm the listeria up a bit...Confused

Also they're assuming you're a litigious idiot who will then sue their arse when the world falls out of your arse.

Obviously most people aren't that dumb, but they have to cater to the lowest denominator.

Plus tbh, it'll probably be a bit mushy &/or dried out after reheating twice, & they don't want you complaining it wasn't nice.

😆

OP posts:
Steelworks · 30/07/2025 10:47

What’s the worst that can happen? You die!

( although I wouldn’t have any qualms reheating macaroni cheese. )

the80sweregreat · 30/07/2025 12:21

Did you reheat it op?
Sorry if you’ve already answered this question btw.

Original poster
maldivemoment · 30/07/2025 13:19

Update.

Still alive, so that’s good.

Nuked it in the microwave. Came out a congealed mess but was hungry & hate food waste. Ate 3 bites then conceded defeat. It’s now in the bin. It was bloody awful!

Least I tried…

Thanks all for your kind words of encouragement 😆👍🏻

OP posts:
the80sweregreat · 30/07/2025 13:55

Oh no op! At least you tried, but it’s a shame as it’s one of the best ones they do I think.

DirtyBird · 30/07/2025 16:33

I grew up on reheated food and still reheat all kinds of food - rice, meat, potatoes... everything. Not had one issue and neither did anyone in my family.

lunaswand · 30/07/2025 16:35

i'm sure it will be fine but I would eat it cold in sandwich (absolutely delicious)

Tcateh · 30/07/2025 16:37

Just commenting on the Xmas pudding post.
Just scoop out what you need bung in a bowl and heat for about 40 seconds.
I don't even put an open one in the fridge, just cover it. There's alot of alcohol in them!

YelramBob · 30/07/2025 16:42

maldivemoment · 30/07/2025 13:19

Update.

Still alive, so that’s good.

Nuked it in the microwave. Came out a congealed mess but was hungry & hate food waste. Ate 3 bites then conceded defeat. It’s now in the bin. It was bloody awful!

Least I tried…

Thanks all for your kind words of encouragement 😆👍🏻

What a shame 😥 I reheat everything and have never suffered, except for the 'calamari incident' in 2020 which did NOT end well 🤮🤮🤮

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