Can you get sick from potato salad?

* Bacteria: Potato salad is a prime breeding ground for bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, which potato salad provides, especially if it's left out at room temperature for too long.

* Cross-contamination: If the ingredients used in the potato salad, like the potatoes, eggs, or mayonnaise, aren't handled properly and come into contact with raw meat or other contaminated surfaces, bacteria can easily transfer.

* Improper storage: Leaving potato salad out at room temperature for more than two hours (or one hour in temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit) is a recipe for bacterial growth.

Symptoms of Food Poisoning from Potato Salad:

* Nausea

* Vomiting

* Diarrhea

* Stomach cramps

* Fever

How to Prevent Getting Sick:

* Wash hands thoroughly: Before preparing potato salad, wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

* Cook ingredients thoroughly: Make sure potatoes are cooked until they're soft all the way through, and eggs are hard-boiled.

* Keep ingredients cold: Store all ingredients in the refrigerator until ready to use.

* Chill the salad immediately: Once the salad is assembled, refrigerate it promptly and keep it chilled.

* Don't leave it out for too long: Avoid leaving potato salad out at room temperature for more than two hours (or one hour in hot temperatures).

* Discard leftovers after 3-4 days: Even if stored properly, potato salad should be discarded after 3-4 days to reduce the risk of bacterial growth.

If you experience any symptoms of food poisoning after eating potato salad, it's important to seek medical attention.