Will my DH have given DS food poisoning?

[BBQbarbie]

We’ve got some cold chicken legs - ready to eat in the fridge. DS (5) said he doesn’t like them cold, my DH decided to warm them up in the air fryer for a few minutes then gave to DS. He’s now eaten them. I’ve come downstairs and he’s told me this and I’m not impressed. DH said because they’re fine to eat cold then it won’t be a problem. But I thought chicken needed to be cooked through to piping hot, even if it’s ready to eat.

As far as I remember from an advanced food hygiene course about 15 years ago the problem is this:

If you eat a cold sausage roll (or chicken or whatever) and it’s been kept at the right temperature, whilst salmonella and botulism and other food poisoning causing lovelies can grow at fridge temperatures, being in the cold limits the growth somewhat.

If you then half heat it you’re providing the perfect temperature for bacteria to thrive, and not only that but they continue to thrive at a rapid pace inside you, therefore increasing the chances of food poisoning.

If a fridge is running slightly warm, or food has been put in too hot and warmed everything else up slightly, it increases the chance of the bacterial load being higher. Half heating something in those conditions increases the chances again.

Chances are it’ll be fine, and most of us have an immune system that means we’re largely ok. But either eat something chilled or thoroughly heated, especially if you are young or old or your immune system isn’t quite up to standard.