I have been told by a freind that it is dangerous to eat left over rice, is this true?

Answer 1

It's true that you could get food poisoning from eating reheated rice. But it's not actually the reheating that's the problem – it's the way the rice has been stored before reheating.

Uncooked rice can contain spores of Bacillus cereus, bacteria that can cause food poisoning. When the rice is cooked, the spores can survive. Then, if the rice is left standing at room temperature, the spores will germinate into bacteria. These bacteria will multiply and may produce toxins (poisons) that cause vomiting or diarrhoea. Reheating the rice won't get rid of these toxins.

So, the longer cooked rice is left at room temperature, the more likely it is that bacteria, or the toxins they produce, could stop the rice being safe to eat.

It's best to serve rice when it has just been cooked. If that isn't possible, cool the rice as quickly as possible (ideally within one hour) and keep it in the fridge for no more than one day until reheating.

Remember that when you reheat any food, you should always check that it's piping hot all the way through, and avoid reheating more than once.

Answer 2

It's true that you could get food poisoning from eating reheated rice. But it's not actually the reheating that's the problem – it's the way the rice has been stored before reheating. Uncooked rice can contain spores of Bacillus cereus, bacteria that can cause food poisoning. When the rice is cooked, the spores can survive. Then, if the rice is left standing at room temperature, the spores will germinate into bacteria. These bacteria will multiply and may produce toxins (poisons) that cause vomiting or diarrhoea. Reheating the rice won't get rid of these toxins. So, the longer cooked rice is left at room temperature, the more likely it is that bacteria, or the toxins they produce, could stop the rice being safe to eat. It's best to serve rice when it has just been cooked. If that isn't possible, cool the rice as quickly as possible (ideally within one hour) and keep it in the fridge for no more than one day until reheating.

Answer 3

Don't listen to the others, rice can be very dangerous if not treated correctly, check out the following advice

"Cooked rice can cause food poisoning, if left for several hours at room temperature. This is because bacteria in the rice can produce poisons at room temperature, which cannot be destroyed by further cooking or reheating.

The Solution
Never store cooked rice at room temperature. Either: keep it hot at 63 degrees centigrade, or above; or keep it cold, at 8 degrees centigrade or less.

Follow these simple guidelines for handling rice safely.

Storage
Store uncooked rice in pest proof containers with lids.
Do not use old tin cans as scoops - instead, use clean plastic or metal scoops.
Practice good stock control.
Preparation & Cooking
Wash rice thoroughly before cooking and remove any foreign bodies (e.g. stones).
Use clean equipment.
If possible, cook only the quantity required for each service period and throw away leftover rice.
Cooling And Storage
1. Cool quickly
Try to cool cooked rice and place it in the refrigerator within a maximum of 1.5 hours of cooking.

Cooling large quantities of cooked rice may take several hours. To reduce this time to 1.5 hours or less, divide the rice into smaller portions, or into shallow dishes.

2. Store in the fridge
Once cool, cover the rice and store in the fridge until needed.

Cloths and towels should not be used as a cover because they can carry harmful bacteria. Instead, use clean lids, aluminium foil or clingfilm.

Reheating
1. Small quantities
Only remove small amounts of rice from the fridge for the cooking period - enough for about 1 hour.

Keep the rest covered up in the fridge until needed.

2. Breaking up clumps of rice
Rice that has been kept in the fridge may stick together and form clumps. Do not use your hands to break up these clumps. Use clean utensils instead.

3. Reheat thoroughly
Rice must be reheated until it is piping hot throughout. A temperature of 75 degrees centigrade for at least 2 minutes must be reached.

Personal Hygiene
Always wash hands after using the toilet and after handling raw food, rubbish and chemicals. Use hot water and soap.
Cover cuts and abrasions with waterproof plasters, (preferably blue). Keep scaly, weeping or infected skin covered at all times.
Do not work in the kitchen if you have sickness or diarrhoea.
Tell your boss if you had sickness or diarrhoea while on holiday. "

Answer 4

If it was dangerous millions of Asians would be dead by now to waste rice in many cultures is considered a sin. Left over rice is fine if eaten cold, as with any reheated food make sure it is piping hot, don't wait too long or the bacteria levels will be high and you will get sick

Answer 5

Yes it can be, if not kept chilled after cooking and not fully reheated when you reuse it. As for being dangerous, food poisoning is rarely fatal but can be very nasty and require hospital treatment. Why take the risk, just bin the leftovers or feed it to the birds.

Answer 6

Rice is 'allegedly' notorious for harbouring bacteria when cold! Although I have to say, I have never personally had a problem - I just whack it in the Microwave on fullpower for a minute!

But, just as easy to cook a new portion if needs must.

Answer 7

I don't know about the rice bit, but eating leftover food will give you more of a chance of getting a stomach bug. The longer you leave it the more bugs will be in it. Only a slight risk thouh, I wouldn't say it was life threatining danger lol

Answer 8

I've never personally heard that. If that were the case, I'd be dead a long time ago.

If you reheat it in the microwave though, that should kill off everything else. In food production, they run foods (meat, eggs, etc.) through microwaves for a short time to kill off any other bacteria that might still be living. I forget which items, but know they do it.

As long as you refridge and reheat well, you should have no problem.

Answer 9

Quite true! You would be pushing it to eat it the next day (HAVING BEEN PUT IMMEDIATELY INTO THE FRIDGE) but certainly no longer. It is a matter of bacteria and toxins growing on it.

Answer 10

Its absolutely true. Its one of the most frequent causes of food poisoning.