What Is Day-Old Rice Sickness
Day-old rice sickness refers to food poisoning from cooked rice left at room temperature. The bacterium Bacillus cereus survives cooking and produces toxins as the rice cools slowly. Symptoms usually appear within one to five hours after eating.
Common Symptoms and Risks
The main signs are sudden vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Most cases last less than 24 hours. In rare cases, severe dehydration can occur, especially in children or older adults. For more on symptoms, see the CDC Bacillus cereus overview.
How to Prevent Day-Old Rice Sickness
Cool cooked rice quickly and refrigerate it within two hours. Store rice in shallow containers and reheat it to at least 74°C (165°F). Avoid keeping rice at room temperature for more than one hour. Serve rice immediately when possible, and discard any leftovers that have been left out too long.
