Friday 24/October/2025 – 01:37 AM
Rice is one of the most consumed foods around the world, but nutrition and food safety experts have recently warned of the danger of reheating it more than once, as this simple dish can turn into a source of real health danger if it is not stored or reheated in the correct way.
Reheating rice more than once may cause food poisoning
According to specialized reports, the danger does not lie in the heating process itself, but rather in the way the rice is preserved after cooking. When cooked rice is left at room temperature for long periods, it becomes an ideal environment for the growth of Bacillus cereus bacteria, which is one of the most prominent causes of household food poisoning. These bacteria can produce heat-resistant toxins, meaning they are not affected even when rice is reheated, which makes eating it later a health risk.
Experts confirmed that symptoms of poisoning resulting from contaminated rice appear within a few hours, and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, and may worsen to fever or dehydration, especially in children, the elderly, or those with weak immune systems.
To avoid these risks, doctors advise not to leave cooked rice outside the refrigerator for more than one hour, and to cool it quickly and store it in tightly sealed containers in the refrigerator.
It is also preferable to divide the quantity into small portions to cool evenly, and eat it within a maximum of three days, reheating it only once until it reaches a very high temperature before eating.
Experts stressed the necessity of getting rid of rice if you notice any change in its smell, color or texture, stressing that adhering to the correct preservation procedures is the only way to benefit from this common food without being exposed to unexpected health risks.
