People who regularly eat rice often tend to cook it in bulk. The cooked rice is then stored in the fridge, and used as and when needed. People tend to make rice for lunch to eat with Dal and then eat the leftover rice at dinner.
But is it safe to eat leftover rice? According to nutritionists and experts, if the leftover rice is refrigerated and stored properly, and in a timely manner after preparation it is okay eat it.
It is noteworthy that cooked rice is particularly susceptible to bacterial growth due to its moist environment, especially if it is left at room temperature for an extended period of time. Additionally, uncooked rice often contains spores of bacteria that can survive cooking. These are known as Bacillus cereus and they can multiply under the right circumstances.
If the cooked rice is left at room temperature it can lead to proliferation of rice and produce toxins resistant to high temperatures. These toxins can lead to potential food poisoning.
Food poisoning symptoms often consist of stomach pain, nausea, and/or diarrhea, and usually manifest within an hour to many hours after eating spoiled food.
Consequently, it is important to store the cooked rice in a securely sealed container, which will keep moisture out. If properly stored within 2 hours of being prepared, cooked rice can be enjoyed later as leftovers.
According to a report by USA Today, some dieticians say that leftover rice lasts as many as 6-7 days if one’s refrigerator temperature is low enough, but Great Britain’s Food Standards Agency notes that leftover rice should be consumed “within 24 hours.” The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has a Food Safety app that shows that leftover rice can be stored for “3 to 4 days.”
How to know if the leftover rice is unsafe to eat?
If you notice any unusual discoloration or strange smells coming from your rice mean your leftovers should be discarded. If you aren’t sure how long it’s been or don’t know if it’s still safe or not, it’s probably best to leave it be.