A Mother’s Death and a Child’s Coma: The Deadly Cost of a Common “Money-Saving” Habit

A tragic incident has sparked widespread concern after a mother passed away and her child fell into a coma — both linked to a household habit many people consider harmless and economical.

According to medical staff involved in the case, the family had long practiced a “saving habit” common in many households: reusing leftover food repeatedly, even when it showed signs of spoilage, in order to avoid waste. Over time, this habit turned fatal.

What Happened?

The family regularly reheated leftovers stored for long periods, believing that thorough cooking would eliminate any danger. However, doctors later confirmed that certain toxins produced by bacteria cannot be destroyed by reheating, no matter how high the temperature.

The mother developed acute food poisoning that progressed rapidly to organ failure. Her child, after consuming the same food, suffered severe poisoning and fell into a coma due to toxic shock.

Doctors’ Warning: Heat Does NOT Kill All Toxins

Medical experts stress that some bacteria — especially those growing in improperly stored food — can produce heat-resistant toxins. Even boiling or microwaving food cannot neutralize these substances once they are formed.

“Many people believe reheating food makes it safe again. This is a dangerous misconception,” a physician involved in the case stated. “Saving money should never come at the cost of health or life.”

Common “Saving Habits” That Can Turn Deadly

Doctors warn against the following practices:

• Repeatedly reheating leftovers over several days

• Eating food with unusual smell, slime, or discoloration

• Storing cooked food at room temperature for long periods

• Reusing cooking oil multiple times

• Believing that ‘nothing should be wasted’ at all costs

These habits significantly increase the risk of foodborne poisoning.

How to Protect Your Family

Health authorities recommend:

• Only storing cooked food for a short, safe period

• Discarding food immediately if there is any sign of spoilage

• Avoiding repeated reheating

• Prioritizing food safety over frugality
  

A Painful Lesson

This heartbreaking case serves as a reminder: saving money should never mean risking lives. What seems like a harmless habit can silently turn into a deadly threat.

Doctors urge families to rethink daily practices in the kitchen — because sometimes, the most dangerous risks are the ones we are most used to.