These Are the 3 Biggest Signs a Buffet Could Give You Food Poisoning, According to Food Safety Experts

While they’re a popular dining attraction, food buffets are notorious hotbeds for food poisoning. There are no hard and fast numbers on how many people get sick from buffets each year, but a whopping 48 million people get sick from foodborne illness in the U.S. annually, making this a common health issue.

Food safety experts say there are a few reasons why buffets tend to spread foodborne illness. “Think of food the way you think of milk left on the counter. It may look fine for a while, but the longer it sits out, the more quickly germs multiply,” says Darin Detwiler, LP.D., author of the book Food Safety: Past, Present and Predictions and a professor at Northeastern University. “The same is true at buffets.”

If hot foods cool down or cold foods warm up, bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli can grow, Detwiler explains. “This is why keeping food out of the ‘danger zone’ between 41 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees Fahrenheit is so important.”

Unfortunately, you can’t see if a buffet is contaminated. But food safety experts say certain signs suggest it’s risky to eat at a buffet. Here’s what they say to look out for.

The 3 Biggest Signs a Buffet Could Give You Food Poisoning, According to Food Safety Experts

Again, you can’t spot germs like Salmonella or E.coli on food. “While we cannot see, smell or taste pathogens, there are still signs that a buffet might not be for you,” says Wade Syers, D.Soc.Sci., extension specialist for food safety at Michigan State University Extension.

1. The temperature seems off

It’s crucial that cold foods be kept under 41 degrees Fahrenheit and that hot foods be kept above 140 degrees, per Detwiler.

“Hot food should be kept hot, and cold food should be kept cold,” Syers says. If foods that should be cold seem on the warmer side, and hot foods seem to be cooling off, he explains it’s best to take a pass. 

2. The food has been sitting out for a while

It’s hard to know for sure how long any given dish has been out, but Syers recommends being on the lookout for certain signs that food has been left out too long.

“Food that looks old or unappetizing is another warning sign,” he says. “Dishes that have sat out too long often appear dried-out, watery or crusty. These are clear indicators that food may no longer be fresh.”

Dr. Ellen Shumaker, Ph.D., director of outreach for the Safe Plates program at North Carolina State University, agrees, explaining, “If the buffet is busy and food is being replenished frequently, I am not as concerned. But when food starts to sit out for long periods of time without temperature control, that increases the risk of foodborne illness.”

3. Serving utensils aren’t being properly used

Serving utensils at a buffet are in place to keep germs that could be on people’s hands from getting onto the food.

“Think about all of the people moving through the line touching the utensils, utensils potentially dropping into the food and people maybe even touching food directly,” Dr. Shumaker says. “If a person hasn’t washed their hands before coming through the buffet, there is a risk of anything that’s on their hands—bacteria such as Staph aureus or a virus like norovirus—will end up on utensils or the food itself, increasing the risk of foodborne illness for anyone coming through the line.” 

What Safe Buffets Do Well

There are certain signs that the people running a food buffet are doing what they can to lower the risk it’ll make you sick.

“A well-run buffet feels cared for. Food is replaced often. Fresh pans appear before the old ones run low,” Detwiler says. “Staff move through the line wiping counters, stirring dishes and checking temperatures.” 

These buffets will also often have cold foods that sit in ice or chilled wells, he says, explaining, “Hot foods look warm, moist and recently handled. These little touches are what protect families.”

How To Enjoy a Buffet Safely

Detwiler says that buffets can be “very safe” when food handling practices are followed. “I’ve seen countless operators who take tremendous pride in keeping guests healthy,” he adds. 

Still, he suggests doing what you can to visit a buffet earlier in a mealtime window when food is fresh. “Pick dishes that have just been brought out or stirred,” he says. (It’s also good etiquette to wash your hands before you join the line to protect others, he continues.) 

“If something looks like it has been sitting too long, simply skip it,” Detwiler explains. “Your instincts are often your best protection.” Once you’ve loaded your plate, it’s best to wash your hands again before you eat, Shumaker adds. This lowers the odds that any germs you could have picked up in the buffet line will make you sick. 

Ultimately, food safety experts share that it’s possible to safely enjoy a buffet—you just need to use a little judgment. “By combining good personal habits with responsible staff practices, everyone can enjoy a safe and pleasant dining experience,” Syers says.