Rice is more problematic than some other leftover foods as it may contain bacteria called Bacillus cereus, which survive some cooking processes.This bacterium is often the cause of food poisoning from reheated or cooked rice. Food poisoning usually causes diarrhea and vomiting and can cause severe complications in people with other health issues.If people do not follow food safety guidelines correctly,
the bacteria may grow on leftover rice and make people sick. However, handling food correctly can prevent illness.The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) outline the safest ways to cook,
store, and reheat food, including rice, properly.Each of the following steps will ensure that reheated rice has a low risk of making people sick:Always wash hands thoroughly before preparing and cooking food.
Keep utensils that have touched raw animal products separate.When cooking rice, make sure that it reaches a high temperature. Keep it out of the danger zone — between 40°F and 140°F — where bacteria grow rapidly.Serve rice immediately after cooking.
