Welcome to Paging Dr. Gupta.

This is the podcast where I get to answer your health questions, and you've been sending a lot in.

Based on what you've been saying, we've got a lot to talk about.

And Kira, one of our producers is here.

What's our first question?

All right, hey, Sanjay.

First up, we've got a question from John

in San Diego, California. And this is actually something that I'm so curious about. So let's hear

what he has to say. Hey, Sanjay, this is John. I just finished listening to your, our food keeps

getting recalled episode. And I had a question, my wife and her family tends to think that when food is cooked and warm on the stove,

that it has to be left out until it's cool to the touch before it can be put into the refrigerator.

Otherwise, it might develop some bacteria or illness.

And I just wanted to know, is that valid?

It seems like it's more dangerous to leave it out than it is to put it away.

So I just wanted to confirm and or deny, is it effective to leave food out when it's hot or warm

before putting it into the refrigerator, allowing it time to cool down.

Thank you. I love the show. Take care.

All right, John, first of all, a great question. I have to tell you, after that podcast aired in

November of last year, we got a lot of questions and a lot of comments about food recalls

overall and the best way to store your food.

So let me answer the question directly and then I'll give you a little bit of background.

First of all, this is a common food safety myth, but at the same time, it's something that a lot of people debate.

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