1. All Dried Up
Cooking rice is fairly easy, but preventing food poisoning starts before cooking. Rice has to be kept dry when storing it. If the rice is stored improperly, not only will it be difficult to cook, but it may be contaminated with mold, fungus and bacteria. After you open a bag of rice, place the remainder in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place. Keep the rice away from pests and insects, too. Make sure the rice you buy is in a bag or container that isn't damaged and check the expiration date to make sure it's fresh.
2. No Peeking
When you're ready to cook the rice, measure out the amount needed in a measuring cup, then place the measured rice on a clean plate. When the rice is on a clean plate, you can examine it for any contaminants or insects before cooking. Cook smaller quantities of rice to reduce the risk of food poisoning. Bring the water to a full rolling boil before you add the rice to assure there are no contaminants in the water. After the rice is added and the heat is turned down, cover the pot of rice tightly. Not only does this cook the rice thoroughly, the steam helps to kill some bacteria. Don't remove the lid while rice is steaming, it won't cook properly. Removing the lid also decreases the temperature, which will increase the possibility of food poisoning.
3. Hot Stuff
Hot foods must be kept hot to prevent food poisoning. When the rice is ready to serve, keep it hot by placing the container in a hot water bath. If you can't keep the rice hot, it must not be kept at room temperature longer than 2 hours. After rice has been sitting at room temperature for 2 hours, place it in shallow containers and refrigerate. Shallow containers help the rice cool quickly, which also keeps bacteria at bay.
4. Love Leftovers?
Leftovers can be more flavorful than the original dish and many people prefer to eat leftovers. Leftover rice can be used in soups, salads and in rice pudding. If you have leftover rice, make sure it is steamy hot and has been heated through and through. Reheat rice only once; if you have a large quantity of leftover rice, reheat only the amount you need.
5. Excuse Me, Please
Food poisoning from bad rice leaves little doubt. The symptoms are nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. You will not only say "excuse me, please" but will spend a lot of time in the bathroom. The vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration as well and you can be absolutely miserable. Take the time to cook and store rice properly to avoid food poisoning.
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