rice left out the fridge

[Mummyoftwo91]

I made some rice for my lunch today and I forgot to put it in the fridge! Shall I chuck it or is it safe to eat?

[Bella444]

I wouldn't trust rice that's been left out (and my personal food hygiene is fairly lax!). It's really easy to get food poisoning from incorrectly stored rice.

[AssangesCat]

God no. Rice needs to be chilled properly. I don't touch leftover rice at the best of times.

[KatherineJaneway]

No way. I don't like food waste but I would risk it.

[Mummyoftwo91]

Thanks! Didn't take it to work in the end! Was gutted as I made nasai goreng and I wanted the rest for lunch but I fell asleep so I forgot about it 😂🤦🏻‍♀️ not worth the risk

[barfotoliv]

I find this so strange. My husband is South East Asian. He often eats rice three times a day. Leftovers are never, ever kept in the fridge. They are always used the next day for fried rice or rice soup. In our house we use leftover rice, that's just been left in the rice cooker, I'd say about 3/4 times a week. For the last 8 years. None of us have ever had any issues! Have we just got constitutions of iron??

[Bioprepper]

I have a food science degree and i certainly would not eat rice which has been left out. Mince 2 weeks out of date and soft carrots yes but not rice lol

@barfotoliv you are all very lucky you dont get ill, saying that the bacteria and spores on rice can work in funny ways and affect things you wouldn't normally associate with food poisoning. Respiratory and organ problems for example. If you have children or elderly eating your rice i would seriously start chilling the rice and putting it in the fridge.

[Deathraystare]

I have just had to have a word with my flat mate - he has been leaving all kinds of food but especially rice out for days! He has been quite ill so I told him there was a connection! Plus next week will be even hotter so flies might well be an issue!

Rice should be refrigerated once cooked (and cooled down if not used straight away).

[thisstooshallpass]

Have eaten rice at all temperatures since I could chew. I'm not dead.