Is it dangerous to eat reheated rice? Well it depends

‘Are you telling me I have to cook rice every day?’

Rebecca Harding

Published October 26, 2024 8:00 am CDT

If making a big pot of rice is part of your weekly meal prep routine, you might want to think again.

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In a now-deleted video with over 692,000 views, TikToker and medical student Licia (@liciugh) shares a warning about eating reheated rice that he recently learned in class.

“Imagine my African and Caribbean surprise when we learned that you’re not supposed to eat reheated rice,” Licia says in the clip. “Because you can get food poisoning from a bacteria called B. cereus. No, let’s be serious.”

Licia says that her mother used to prepare a pot of rice on the weekends, which was enough for her family for the entire week.

“Are you telling me I have to cook rice every day? “I don’t know if I can do that,” he says. “I was sitting in class thinking, ‘How long has the rice I’m having for dinner been in the refrigerator?’”

@liciugh

MAKE SURE TO REFRIGERATE THE RICE IMMEDIATELY AFTER COOKING IT, apparently don’t let it reach room temperature and you’ll be fine (I guess)

♬ original sound – licia

How serious is B. cereus?

Most cases of B. cereus are mild and resolve on their own with symptoms such as nausea and abdominal cramps, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

However, in rare cases, the infection can lead to blindness and death.

Not all reheated rice is dangerous. Licia notes in the caption: “Don’t let it get to room temperature apparently and you’ll be fine (I guess).”

You are right: B. cereus grows in foods left at room temperature. Therefore, transferring rice to the refrigerator immediately after cooking reduces the risk.

Spectators resist

Despite the risk of bacterial infection, viewers say they will continue to reheat the rice.

“I skipped this video because I don’t need this negativity,” one writes.

“They are not going to convince me idc. “My family has been doing it for too long and they are all alive,” says another.

“Good information…I’m afraid I’ll still be reheating it,” adds a third.

The Daily Dot contacted Licia via email and comment on TikTok.

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