Refrigerated Rice: Safe or Risky? Expert Tips for Storage and Reheating

• Leftover rice can contain Bacillus cereus bacteria, which multiplies rapidly if rice is left at room temperature.
• Improperly stored or reheated rice can lead to food poisoning, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Cool cooked rice within 1 hour, store in an airtight container in the fridge for no more than 24 hours.
• Reheat rice thoroughly to at least 70°C before eating to minimize bacterial effects.
• Discard rice if it smells bad or is sticky; repeated cooling and reheating may reduce nutrients.

Why It Matters: Refrigerated rice is safe if stored correctly and reheated thoroughly to prevent food poisoning.