Here are the potential risks of eating reheated rice and the precautions to take, according to experts

Currently, on social networks like TikTok, You can find many videos that warn about the risks of eating reheated rice. .

This makes sense, since There are indeed considerations to take into account into account.

However, the risks insured on the different platforms may fall – in certain cases – into statements which deviate from what specialists in the field say. health .

The main fear about cooked rice is that if it sits at room temperature too long, it can become a breeding ground for a type of bacteria called Bacillus cereus .

As explained in New York Times Si Ming Man, immunologist at the Australian National University This one “likes to grow in the warm, humid environment provided by the rice Cooked” .

Along with this, he said that Its spores have the ability to survive the cooking process, so if food is not kept cold in the refrigerator, they can grow and produce toxins. which are not destroyed by overheating.

Although this is common in leftover rice, outbreaks have also been observed Bacillus cereus in steaks, pasta salads and smoothies among other foods.

Symptoms of this illness usually appear as vomiting and diarrhea within 24 hours. . And usually the signs tend to go away on their own.

University of California Davis researcher Linda Harris told the aforementioned media outlets that “The illness will most likely have passed by the time you decide to do something about it.” .

However, he emphasized that “The exception is people with weakened immune systems. .

Within this group, Children under 5 years old, people over 65 years old, pregnant women and immunocompromised people are admitted. .

However, specialists shared a series of recommendations to avoid getting sick although he is not one of the last people mentioned.

From the US Department of Health and Human Services, they assure that cooked rice should be consumed within 4 to 6 days while most other remainders only top out at 4.

This, provided they have been kept in the refrigerator at 4 degrees Celsius or lower and have not been taken out of the refrigerator for more than two hours .

In case it is summer or there is a hot day, this last autonomy is reduced to one hour .

On the other hand, some specialists consulted by the Times They suggested not consuming it after the fourth day and not reheating it more than once. .

Regarding the shelf life in the freezer, the American organization assures that It can be stored for up to six months in this location. .

Of course, they point out that It will be cooler if there are less than two months left. .

The author of the cookbook Vietnamese evergreen (Ten Speed ​​​​Press, 2023), Andrea, Nguyen, told the aforementioned media that It should be thawed in the refrigerator, then reheated or added to soups and stews that will be simmered. .

To cook it in the microwave, New York newspaper food writer Priya Krishna recommended steam it in the same appliance .

The steps are as follows: Rinse the rice and add it to a large bowl suitable for these appliances, with double the volume of water .

SO, It should be cooked uncovered for 15 to 25 minutes. . The time may vary depending on the power of the microwave.

When the rice becomes frothy and the water level drops, the device captures steam as if it were a pot with a lid. he explained

It is therefore recommended that the inside of the microwave is clean .

And, to reheat cold rice, the author of the book on this food Rice: a cookbook Savor the South (University of North Carolina Press, 2021), Michael Twitty, He suggested heating it in a pan with a small amount of liquid and oil “until it becomes foamy and steaming again.” .

The idea is that the rice grains recover the moisture they need after the dryness they acquired from being in the refrigerator.

It is good to remember that It is always advisable to consult health and nutrition professionals to assess your particular case and the best solutions. to remedy.