FOOD TECHNOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -If rice is left standing at room temperature, the spores can grow into bacteria. These bacteria will multiply and may produce toxins (poisons) that cause vomiting or diarrhoea. The longer cooked rice is left at room temperature, the more likely it is that the bacteria or toxins could make the rice unsafe to eat.

Detailed explanation-2: -Expired rice is mostly contaminated by fungi or mold, which produce mycotoxins that may cause food poisoning ( 3 ). Mycotoxin intake is linked to symptoms that range from vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain to convulsions, coma, an increased risk of cancer, and a weak immune system (4, 5).

Detailed explanation-3: -If you’re serving the rice and place it in a bowl on your table (at room temperature), then it must be refrigerated within two hours of cooking. If the rice sits out for two hours at room temperature or one hour if the temperature is 90 degrees fahrenheit or above (like eating outdoors), then the rice should be tossed.

Detailed explanation-4: -Rice is best eaten as soon after cooking as possible, i.e. the next day, but generally, cooked rice, if cooled and stored correctly, lasts three to five days.