ou love leftover rice.
It’s perfect for stir-fries, bowls, or a quick side.
But did you know that improperly stored or reheated rice can make you seriously sick?
It’s not an old wives’ tale — it’s science.
Rice is one of the few foods that naturally contains Bacillus cereus, a tough bacteria that can survive cooking and grow at room temperature, producing toxins that cause vomiting, diarrhea, and food poisoning — even after reheating.
So yes — you can eat leftover rice safely…
But only if you store and reheat it the right way.
Let’s break down what nutrition experts say — so you can enjoy your leftovers without risk.
🧫 The Hidden Danger: Bacillus cereus
This common soil bacterium lives on raw rice as spores.
When cooked rice sits out too long:
This common soil bacterium lives on raw rice as spores.
When cooked rice sits out too long:
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