Many of us don't think twice about tossing leftover rice into the fridge. It's a popular habit: cook a large batch, save the rest, and reheat for lunch or dinner the next day. But what most people don't realize is that leftover rice can pose a hidden danger—even when stored in the refrigerator.
Yes, rice can harbor bacteria, and sometimes there's no smell or visible mold to warn you it's unsafe to eat. The main culprit? A bacterium called Bacillus cereus—one that can survive even after the rice has been cooked.
How Does It Happen?
When you cook rice, the spores of Bacillus cereus that exist on the raw grains can survive the heat. If the rice is left at room temperature for too long before it is refrigerated, these spores can wake up and quickly multiply. This increases the risk of foodborne illness, even if the rice still looks and smells fine.
Unlike some other bacteria that die during cooking, Bacillus cereus spores are tough and able to survive. If the rice is left out before refrigeration, these spores can become active bacteria and start producing toxins. Unfortunately, reheating the rice won't destroy these toxins, so even steaming hot leftovers could make you sick.
Food Safety Tips for Leftover Rice
Symptoms of Bacillus cereus food poisoning—like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, or diarrhea—usually show up 6 to 15 hours after eating. Effects are generally brief but can be severe for small children, elderly people, or those with weaker immune systems.
So how do you safely eat leftover rice? The most important thing is to cool it as quickly as possible after cooking. Spread the rice on a baking sheet or shallow dish for faster cooling, and get it into the fridge within an hour (two hours at the most, but one hour is safest in warm weather). When reheating, make sure it's steaming hot all the way through.
Eat leftover rice within one or two days. If it smells strange or looks odd, throw it out—even if you're hungry. When in doubt, don't risk it.
Watch: How to Stay Safe
Here's a video by a food safety expert explaining the risks of refrigerated rice and how to avoid them:
Being careful with leftovers isn't meant to make your kitchen routine stressful—just a simple habit to keep your food safe and your meals worry-free. So next time you find yourself with extra rice: cool it quickly, store it promptly, and eat it soon.
Source: https://recepten.servi.tn/wat-groeit-er-in-je-overgebleven-rijst-de-koelkast-is-niet-altijd-veilig/