Think reheating leftover rice is harmless? Think again! š If stored improperly, rice can harbor Bacillus cereus, a bacteria that survives cooking and produces toxins that cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrheaāeven after reheating.
To keep rice safe:
ā³ Cool it quicklyādonāt leave it out for more than 1 hour.
š½ļø Spread it out or use an uncovered container to help it cool faster.
āļø Store in an airtight container in the fridge and eat within 1ā2 days.
š„ Reheat until steaming hotāand only once!
Freezing is safe, too. Just cool rice fast, portion it, freeze in airtight containers, and reheat directlyānever thaw on the counter.
Remember: rice can look and smell fine but still be dangerous. Safe storage protects your health and keeps your meals delicious and worry-free! ā