Reheating rice

Smurphington

I don't usually do this but I have made a one pot and getting confused whether reheating rice is a good idea as heard that it can cause bacteria

unforeseen

Reheating any food can do that.What you do with it between being cooked and reheating decides the risk.

Some people are so risk averse that they think the only safe way to freeze & reheat rice is to put through an industrial blast chiller immediately after cooking it otherwise a fatal dose of Bacillus cereus builds up in it.

PollyWollyDoodle

Not advisable. Uncooked rice has bacillus cereus (I think) on it, and it multiplies rapidly in warm damp conditions. Rice eaten straight after cooking is ok, or rice cooled down quickly for use eg in rice salad. Reheating it can give just the right conditions for it to multiply.

I'm sure there will be people on here who say they reheat it all the time and it's fine, but ever since I did a Food Hygiene course it's the one thing I never risk, although I'll happily eat OOD food.

buildersdaughter

Yes, reheating rice is rather more risky than other things, for the reasons given above.
In our family, if we there is leftover rice, it goes into the fridge as quickly as possible, is not kept for more than 24 hours, reheated thoroughly, and not given to anyone in a 'vulnerable' group. That seems to us a sensible compromise.
We do however, often cook extra for rice salad.

Linda32

Personally, I don't think it is worth the risk.

Whilst not exactly the point, it really isn't very much in the way of cost to make fresh batches every time.

I understand that once you have eaten rice that is contaminated the after effects never leave you and visit when you are least expecting it!

Owain_Moneysaver

Cooling it quickly is the most important thing, as that's where the risk is.

I've never had any problems, but I spread the hot rice on a cold plate to cool, then cling wrap and into the coldest part of the fridge. Use within 24 hours and reheat in the microwave until steaming hot throughout. (Although reheating may kill the bacillus, it won't destroy the toxins produced by the bacillus, and it's the toxins that cause food poisoning.)

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/food-and-diet/can-reheating-rice-cause-food-poisoning/