left Over Onion is Poisonous

@cynthiann (18602)
Jamaica
November 2, 2009 3:13pm CST
I receiverd this today and homestly do not know if it is true. I even ate some left over onion along with some cheese and Btanston Pickle in a sndwich last night. I have felt fine. I have used an onion which has been left in the fridge, and sometimes I don't use a whole one at one time, so save the other half for later. Now with this info, I have changed my mind.....will buy smaller onions in the future. I had the wonderful privilege of touring Mullins Food Products, Makers of mayonnaise. Mullins is huge, and is owned by 11 brothers and sisters in the Mullins family. My friend, Jeanne, is the CEO. Questions about food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a chemist. The guy who gave us our tour is named Ed. Ed is a chemistry expert and is involved in developing most of the sauce formula. He's even developed sauce formula for McDonald's. Keep in mind that Ed is a food chemistry whiz. During the tour, someone asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise. People are always worried that mayonnaise will spoil.. Ed's answer will surprise you. Ed said that all commercially- made Mayo is completely safe. "It doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but it's not really necessary." He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then talked about the quaint essential picnic, with the bowl of potato salad sitting on the table and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick. Ed says that when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from(in the potato salad?). Ed says it's not the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade Mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the onions, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES. He explained, onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion.. He says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator. It's already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out for a bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you put in your hotdogs at the baseball park!) Ed says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put on your sandwich, you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad, will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down. So, how's that for news? Take it for what you will. I (the author) am going to be very careful about my onions from now on. For some reason, I see a lot of credibility coming from a chemist and a company that produces millions of pounds of mayonnaise every year.' Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions .Please remember it is dangerous to cut onions and try to use it to cook the next day ,it becomes highly poisonous for even a single night and creates Toxic bacteria which may cause Adverse Stomach infections because of excess Bile secretions and even Food poisoning. What do you thnk of the above information? Does anyone have any information on this? ________________________________________
10 people like this
34 responses
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
2 Nov 09
All I can tell you is that I keep partial onions all the time, sometimes for weeks. If they get moldy, I toss them. Otherwise I use them. Never had a problem. Ever...
3 people like this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
3 Nov 09
I feel the same way.
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
keeep onuions until tey get mouldy too. I grew up on onions as my GM so believed that eating raw onions kept us healthy
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
3 Nov 09
I'm not fond of raw onions myself, but I love cooked onions...
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
3 Nov 09
I would venture to say this can't possibly be true. Why? Because I save cut onions all the time and use them later, sometimes much later, in another dish. I have never gotten sick or food poisoning from chopped onion, fresh, stored, or cooked. I think I had better read some of the other responses or links and see what people dug up. I am quite sure that sometimes I leave things in the fridge too long and we are really super bad about left overs, I am starting to think I should just throw them away instead of trying to keep them unless I KNOW somebody has earmarked it to eat for lunch or snack the next day.
3 people like this
• India
3 Nov 09
Dont feel bad…I have specialized in storing food unintentionally! In winter we get a special kind of hard molasses made from the juice of local dates and is a winter speciality. Well, last winter dad got some for himself and some for me…I don’t exactly remember how many but it seems one got pushed so deep into the fridger that I lost sight of it completely. Come summer (after two three months at least) and I was cleaning out the fridge and out it popped…well! I didn’t know what to do…if it had spoiled, I could have at least thrown it away…but it looked good enough to be eaten and dad had given it so I just made it into a desert and we all had it! In any case, I believe heat kills a lot of germs and bacteria so if we are cooking it properly, then onions or whatever it is, should be OK.
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
I do not throw away food at all. Something left over can be had for lunch or breakfast and I have not got sick from eating onions and I am in my 60's. I am not stopping now as I doubt the information. I must be immune to any germs!
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
3 Nov 09
I have never heard that. It is very interesting, although you would think the health department would really be checking that out on salad bars and such. I worked in food service, and never heard that. I do it all the time, I'll have to be more careful and look for more info.
3 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
I've eaten raw onion all of my life and I am doubting that it is true to the extent that was said
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
2 Nov 09
i am sorry but to me this is garbage, I have used onions and store cut ones in my refrigerator for several days and have never been ill. as long as they look fresh and firm, I will keep them and cook as needed. this I just do not believe at all. I have used onions for years,and stored them for several days, so I thing somebody has something wrong here. I do bet a lot of other mylotters will all tell you the same thing. Of course anything unrefrigerated will spoil in a few hours but my food was refrigerated and kept really cold.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
Hatley, I grew up eating raw onions with cheese in sandwiches and some pickle on th side. Never had a problem. Also I use up the bits oif left over onions in soupo. I am not giving up onions at all. Onions have never made me sick!
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
3 Nov 09
Same here Hatley and I will be sticking to my onion ways having thought about it, there's always something new that is bad for us but I won't be parted from my onions.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
2 Nov 09
I have never heard of this, but I wouldn't doubt that it's true. My husband and I aren't really fans of onions though, so I don't think we have to worry about that. We eat onions in our meatloaf (atleast I'm pretty sure there's onions in it), but it's cooked in the meatloaf, we actually just got done eating that today! Very interesting stuff about mayonnaise, I was actually wondering how long mayonnaise could last, and why it's not directly put in the fridge when we get home, why it's not even in the fridge section!
3 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
I hinestly do not believe that it is so dangerous as it was said. did not know about the mayonnnaise either
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
2 Nov 09
Hi cynthiann, well I have to say I do as you do, I cut an onion, slice what I need and wrap the rest in a plastic bag in the fridge for the next time I want a slice, but I have never had any food poisoning from it. If an onion is sprouting though I bin it, or if one is slightly soft. However when my mustard mayonnaise is open in the fridge the top can look a little darker and congealed if it's been left for a few days, so I usually spoon the top off into the bin. The only time I've ever been cautious over mayonnaisse is when I was pregnant and then I didn't touch it at all. But I believe that you can tell when an onion needs binning and don't really see the need to change what I do now as I've been doing it for years.
3 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
Thea, I don't bin them at all. I put them in soup where they get blended. Here's to onioins! That 's what I say! I used to eat them roasted whole in the oven with a good sized piece of beeg. I love i ions in any shape or form and being widowed I now even eat them before going to bed!
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
3 Nov 09
Roasted shallots alongside roasted garlic cloves, still in their skins, I adore. I can't even look at a salad without onions in, and in winter they probably go in as a base for every soup and casserole I make. I only save bits of onion when I slice them to put on top of cheese, but I can only eat raw onion with cheese with plenty of salt. I've never thought of taking a raw onion to bed with me though. If it's not a type I am intrigued by what Beeg is?
• India
3 Nov 09
OMG this makes life so much more complicated!!! I have always halved and even quartered my onions when necessary and stored away the rest in the fridge for later consumption. We love onions on so many dishes but not all of them require huge quantities and small onions are such a storage and peeling problem. Thank God I don’t like raw onions…I always sauté and cook them well (at least Bengali cuisine requires so)…but I’ll be careful and try and select small ones as much as I can. In any case, I have always noticed how the look of the onion changes once its cut and left like that…I was not very comfortable with using it, but that’s the way its done so I never gave it a second thought!
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
Other Mylotters have told me to disregard the bit about onions as it is not true. After all, they point out, everything gets bacteria.
1 person likes this
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
3 Nov 09
Wow Cyn, This is amazing! I've know for many years about the mayo not needing to refrigerate because any elderly couple that I helped care for kept theirs in the cupboard all the time. I was fearful that it was a mistake but they knew something in their elderly wisdom that I would have never guessed. Why do you suppose that is? I would think that would have been cleared up a long time ago. I also know about the onions being toxic to dogs but I have eaten left over oions all my life. I believe what you are saying though. Maybe we've just been lucky. As much as I love raw sweet onions, I will until proven wrong, change my ways. No more on my BK Whopper!!Thanks for this important info. I do have a question. If you keep something like potato salad cold at all times, is there still a chance of food poisoning? You've really got my curiosity up. Leenie
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
I neither knew about he mayo or that is is bad for dogs. But I have eaten raw onion all of my life and will not be stopping now
1 person likes this
@crazydaisy (3896)
• Canada
3 Nov 09
I heard of some thing about onions before thanks for reminding about it my freind eats allot of onion sandwichs I told him about it and he glad you put the time to let us know. cd
2 people like this
• Canada
3 Nov 09
I agree with you about onions and mayo. I wouldn't worry to much they think it's good that you let them know about the onions and the mayo if they are that stupid and not listen it's there fault at lest you told told them..... cd
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
some of the responses say that this part of the emaIL is not true. But it is bad for dogs and th mayo part is true.
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
2 Nov 09
Hey there, Cynthiann. I have not heard this and always have cut onions in my fridge. I put them on salads and in prepared foods nearly everyday! I have never been sick from them and probably will not stop this practice. I may be livin' life on the edge!LOL I am a firm believer in snopes.com. I "snopesed" this and here is what it says: http://www.snopes.com/food/tainted/cutonions.asp They feel this is undertermined about the onions but that your friend is right about mayo! Have a great day, my friend!!
2 people like this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
2 Nov 09
Oh! The part about dogs is true! Someone posted a list here on mylot last year containing all the things that are toxic to dogs. The list was really long!
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
Thank yo so much Heidi. I have never used snopes before so will look this up. Myself, I have no intention of giving up onions and I am sure that the health benefits outweigh any concern about bacteria. Bacteria can grow on anything can't it? I do not have dogs but will tell my friends who do have doggies about the onions though. Blessings
• India
3 Nov 09
I too have used balance onions left uncut of previous day for my cooking.But I had no idea it could be pisonous and harmful.This is news to me.Ya If left in an open place for bacterias to thrive on then I would agree that it goes bad.But when kept safely inside the fridge and used the next day ,I have never faced any problems ,I guess I am immune.Will be more careful now.thanks to your info.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
The responses that I have received indicate that it is not so bad after all - because bacteria grows on everything so if an onion is sliced and sealed then it will be okay. It is true about the mayonnaise and dogs cannot digest onions either so this bit is also true
3 Nov 09
I received this email too. I don't know if it's really true. Thankfully, we don't store onions that were cut before. Although, we did sometimes, we always cook it, fry it, not eat it directly.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
I stoe all bits of onions and have never got ill from doing so.
1 person likes this
@solared (1207)
• United States
3 Nov 09
That sounds like a load of crap, part of a southerners diet it eating lots of onions, even make onion soup, vidalia onions are the best...yum
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
I eat loads of raw onions too and have never got sick. I thoght that eating onions protected us from colds.
1 person likes this
• China
3 Nov 09
oh, it is the first time to heard this opion, i am surprised much , yestoday i ate the left over onion with my husband, i am afraid that i will have a incomfatble day. i learn this , i will aviod eating it.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
It may not be true. Read the responses that I have received
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
2 Nov 09
My sister that is a nurse just recently shared this same info with us......that onion is dangerous! I actually buy the dried onion to use as living alone I throw out more then I use so buying the dried works better for me! Good of you to share this though....everyone should know!
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
Jill, I am not going to change my eating habits=bits, I grew on eating raw onion slices between bread and butter. Sometimes ther was a piece of cheese or chicken. sometimes just the onion so I figure that I am immune to the bacteria that may be caused
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
2 Nov 09
I have never heard anything like that, and I am no professional cook or chemist or anything, but I do like to think I know a few things about food! I read about it, I watch cooking shows... I love to cook and experiment, and I also love to save all my leftovers! Onions are a staple in this house. 2 of my kids LOVE onions, it's their favorite food. So we eat them a lot, and will eat them raw too. None of us have ever gotten sick from an onion. But not refridgerating mayonaise?? Now that's a new one on me! I would never eat mayonaise that hasn't been properly refridgerated... I mean it's made out of eggs!!
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
I have even put dried uo onions i soup and then bkended the soup before serving. I do not waste any inion and literally teethed on it. Had raw onion in sandwiches all of my life and never got sick from it.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
2 Nov 09
yes i think i will check out the snopes report. altho i've even heard they dont know all they claim to. all i know is that the whole family have used onions for years that was cut and stored left over. my dad didnt even bother to put them in frig. sometimes. and have never had the problem. is that the company that makes mayo in your country, huh? Mullins is my dads name my maiden name. from scotland? are they?
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
No, that company is not in my country. A friend sent me this info but I am not changing my eating habits now. Raw onion has never made me sick in my life.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
4 Nov 09
I have often chopped onions all ready for dinner and refrigerated them until I needed to use them later. I do cook the onion usually and I have never ever had any problems. I wonder if it is really true...I am not sure what to make of this information and I will look into it further...I was aware that dogs do not tolerate onion and chocolate. Interesting....Thanks for sharing it cynthiann.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
5 Nov 09
I might go on doing what I have been doing too...
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
4 Nov 09
I use to eat make your eyes water onions between two slices of brad and butter. No ill effects at all. Do not believe it and will keep on doing what I am doing
1 person likes this
@Niah1976 (739)
• Paranaque, Philippines
3 Nov 09
Thanks for the information. It is really helpful. I used to store my leftover onions in the fridge. I thought it is okay and still fresh. From now on, I will choose the smaller ones.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
I do not think that it is true Niah. Look at some of the other responses
@Niah1976 (739)
• Paranaque, Philippines
4 Nov 09
What i mean is that I will choose smaller onions so I won't have any leftover.
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
3 Nov 09
Hi cynthiann! Thank you for all this information! It's very informative and I learned a lot of things I didn't know. I sure didn't know that left over onion was poisonous. I don't eat onions very much, anyway. I like them but I just don't like the after effects of them. I can't stand onion breath! It's so hard to get rid of! I like onion rings, though. Whenever I make a meat loaf, I put onion in it. Those are about the only times I use onions. I will try to remember to get rid of the left over onions next time I cook a meat loaf. I also didn't know that mayonnaise didn't necessarily have to be put in the refrigerator. I always thought it would naturally spoil if you didn't put it in there. You learn something new all the time, don't you? Kathy.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Nov 09
Other responses have indicated that that it is bad for dogs is true and also the factd about he Mayo is true too, but it appears that the raw onion it is not so bad as it was suggested. So I am not giving up onions!
1 person likes this