A dietitian has issued a warning about the risks of leaving cooked rice and other foods at room temperature, following a social media trend known as 'fried rice syndrome'. The condition is caused by Bacillus cereus bacteria, which can contaminate dry foods like rice and pasta if left out.
The trend gained traction on TikTok after reports of a 20-year-old Belgian student who died from Bacillus cereus poisoning. He had reheated spaghetti Bolognese that had been left out for several hours, and later suffered vomiting and diarrhoea before passing away.
Kyndall Weir MS, RD, a dietitian working with athletes, highlighted the 'temperature danger zone' where bacteria thrive. She recounted an athlete who ate pizza left unrefrigerated over several days during a tournament, stressing that food should be kept below 40°F (4°C) or above 140°F (60°C) to prevent bacterial growth.
Uncooked rice can harbour Bacillus cereus spores that survive cooking. If cooked rice is not stored properly, the spores can multiply and produce toxins that cause food poisoning. Experts advise refrigerating leftovers within two hours and reheating them thoroughly.
