Easy to cook and digest, rice which accompanies many dishes can be stored with care, whether raw or cooked.
After cooking, this staple food can develop bacteria and cause food poisoning if stored improperly.
Letting rice cool to room temperature is one of the most common mistakes that need to be corrected.
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Food, do yourself good
Are you one of those French people who consume six kilos of rice per year? Rich in complex carbohydrates, the most consumed cereal in the world has many advantages, particularly from a nutritional point of view. But be careful with its conservation! Failing to store your rice properly can lead to food poisoning. In 2022 alone, Public Health France reports 16,763 people affected by nausea, diarrhea, fevers and abdominal cramps.
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Why shouldn’t you leave cooked rice in the open air?
Present in rice, the bacteria bacillus cereus releases toxins dangerous to health. According to Public Health France, this pathogen, which is very resistant to cooking, is one of those most commonly suspected of causing food poisoning.
To avoid compromising your health, it is advisable to consume rice without delay. Do not let it cool for hours, but only for half an hour at room temperature. To speed up the cooling process, you can spread the rice on a plate.
If you exceed this duration, you run the risk of food poisoning, because rice cooled for too long can cause the bacteria to develop. bacillus cereus, the cause of food poisoning. Even if the number of deaths remains very low (0.1% of cases in 2022), symptoms similar to those of gastroenteritis are not pleasant and can affect your state of health. They can last from a few hours to several days.
How to properly store rice?
Rice, like other dry foods or even flour, keeps better than fresh foods. However, they do not tolerate light, humidity, heat and small parasites such as the weevil. It is therefore better to place your raw rice in an airtight box, stored in a cupboard.
Once cooked, rice does not last long in the refrigerator. Preferably, it is consumed within 24 hours and never beyond four days. Rice is stored in the refrigerator in a properly closed airtight container. Later, the leftovers can be added to a salad or other composition. Whatever the recipe, take the time to reheat the rice before eating it.
If you ever want to avoid food waste, consider freezing. Rice is one of those foods that can be frozen without special precautions. If you are cooking generously, divide the rice into several individual portions and take them out as you go.
