My family eats rice at least once a week. Whether you eat it in a stir-fry, soup or with chicken and vegetables, rice is good and rice is cheap! However, leftover rice is probably something to avoid. According to health experts, eating leftover rice can make you very ill.
According to the National Health Service UK, there is a high chance of getting food poisoning from reheated rice. However, it is not the reheating process that is the problem, but the way the rice has been stored.
Uncooked rice can contain spores of Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that can cause food poisoning. Surprisingly, this bacteria can survive even if the rice has been cooked. When rice is left at room temperature, the spores can turn into bacteria, multiply and produce the toxins that cause the unpleasant symptoms of food poisoning, such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
The longer rice is left at room temperature, the more likely it is to produce these toxins. To prevent the growth of these bacteria and protect yourself from food poisoning, try to serve the rice as soon as it is cooked. Transfer leftover rice to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to one day. When reheating rice, make sure it is steaming hot all the way through. And remember never to reheat the rice more than once.
Now that you know these simple tips, you will be able to prevent food poisoning for yourself and your family!
