How Quickly Can Bacteria Multiply?

Bacteria begin to multiply immediately with a warm, food-filled environment. CREDIT: USDA. View full size image

Give bacteria a warm bed and food to eat and they will start to multiply immediately.

When food is cooked and left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature, bacteria can multiply quickly, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

It’s important to keep this in mind, because most bacteria don’t produce bad odors or change the color of food.

Although freezing food does not destroy bacteria, it slows bacterial growth. Once thawed, the food is once again prime multiply ground. Refrigeration also slows some bacterial growth. To keep bacteria from taking over your dinner, cook food thoroughly and you’ll kill bacteria in the process.

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