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Why leftover rice should not be reheated

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1 month ago

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cooked rice

Why leftover rice should not be reheated

Food safety experts say that starchy foods such as cooked rice and pasta could start going bad after just one or two days even if they are refrigerated.

Millions of Nigerians suffer foodborne illness every year ending up in the hospital or worse. Reheated rice syndrome is food poisoning caused by Bacillus cereus, a bacteria that spreads in improperly cooled starches. Rice is a major staple in Nigeria, but dietitians warn that it should not be reheated and must be consumed on the day it is cooked due to the risk of  the harmful bacteria. Many people rely on leftovers for quick meals, but foods like rice should only be warmed once, the expert noted.

The reasons for this are, first, reheating can alter the chemical makeup of food, leading to toxic substances that may harm kidneys and other organs. Second, cooling certain foods before reheating can promote the growth of deadly bacteria like E. coli and listeria.

Rice is regarded as one of the most dangerous foods to reheat, the experts warn. When rice cools, it may develop Bacillus cereus, a type of bacteria found in soil and vegetables. The spores can survive heating, therefore reheating does not eliminate the risk of illness, which can include vomiting and diarrhea.

To minimise this risk, rice should be stored in the fridge within two hours of cooking, ideally in an airtight container. However, leaving rice out for extended periods can lead to bacteria growth.

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A 20-year-old man in Belgium reportedly died from ‘fried rice syndrome’ after reheating spaghetti he had left out for five days. He experienced severe symptoms shortly after eating, including nausea and abdominal pain, and passed away within 10 hours. A post-mortem examination revealed liver damage that led to organ failure.

Cooked rice can develop Bacillus cereus bacteria that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Although rice can be stored for months on the shelf, cooked rice only lasts about a day in the fridge before it goes bad due to the presence of Bacillus cereus, which is often found in raw foods like potatoes, peas, beans, and some spices.

The bacteria are especially prevalent in rice or grains that have been left out at room temperature or in a refrigerator that is too warm, but they can also grow in leftover rice kept at safe temperatures.

Cooking rice does not eliminate the spores, so if cooked rice or pasta is left out at room temperature, the spores can multiply quickly and create harmful toxins. Symptoms from Bacillus cereus infection include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Elderly individuals and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of getting infections from this bacteria.

Bacillus cereus, which is often found in raw foods like potatoes, peas, beans, and some spices are especially prevalent in rice or grains that have been left out at room temperature or in a refrigerator that is too warm, but they can also grow in leftover rice kept at safe temperatures. Cooking rice does not eliminate the spores, so if cooked rice or pasta is left out at room temperature, the spores can multiply quickly and create harmful toxins.

Safety tips:

Cool cooked rice quickly, within one hour of cooking, ideally by dividing it into smaller portions. Don’t leave it in the pan, steamer, or rice cooker to cool.  Put the rice in the fridge and use it within two days. Make sure the rice is steaming hot all the way through and don’t reheat more than once. Reheating more than once can increase the risk of food poisoning.

Why leftover rice should not be reheated

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Surgeon contracts cancer after operating on patient

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20 hours ago

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January 4, 2025

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Surgeon contracts cancer after operating on patient

A surgeon accidentally contracted cancer from a patient in a first of its kind occurrence. The patient, a 32-year-old man from Germany, had a unique form of cancer and was undergoing surgery to remove a tumour from his abdomen.

During the operation, the surgeon accidentally cut his hand. Although he cleaned and bandaged the wound right away, five months later, a small lump appeared at the injury site. When examined, it was found to be a malignant tumour, genetically identical to the cancer from the patient.

The medical team concluded that the surgeon likely caught the cancer when tumour cells entered the cut. The case was unusual because normally, the body fights off foreign tissue, which would have been expected in this situation. However, the tumour’s growth indicated the surgeon’s immune system did not effectively respond to the cancer cells.

Originally reported in 1996, this case gained new attention after being published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The report detailed how the surgeon injured his left hand while placing a drain during surgery. Despite the patient’s initial success in surgery, he later passed away due to complications.

Months later, a hard swelling appeared on the surgeon’s finger. Although tests showed no initial abnormalities, the growth was ultimately found to be a malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

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Both tumours were analysed and declared identical, suggesting that cancer cells from the patient had entered the surgeon’s body through the cut. The report emphasized that normally, the immune system would reject transplanted tissue.

 In this case, while there was inflammation around the tumour, it still increased in size, indicating a failure of the immune response. Researchers proposed that the tumour might have escaped destruction by changing its cell molecules and evading the surgeon’s immune system.

Two years after the surgeon had his tumour removed, there were no signs of cancer returning. The study also highlighted cases where heart transplant patients adopt traits from their donors.

Doctors found the case intriguing because the transplanted tissue is different from the host’s tissue, making it a target for the immune system, which tries to reject it. This is why people who receive organ transplants need to take immunosuppressive medications to prevent their bodies from rejecting the new organ.

In this specific situation, although the surgeon experienced inflammation around his original incision, his immune system did not stop the tumor from growing. Instances like the surgeon’s are very rare, and there are no reliable statistics on cancer that is transferred through organ transplants.

A review published in 2013 in Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine noted the difficulty in estimating the risk of cancer being transmitted from donor to recipient, highlighting the lack of comprehensive data on the topic. The authors mentioned that the chances of cancer transmission are so low that only sporadic case reports provide insights.

A previous review from 1993 that examined data from the 1970s also indicated only a few isolated reports of cancer being transmitted through organ donations. The 2013 review stated that the infrequency and varying stages of cancers make it impossible to calculate a definitive risk.

However, the authors pointed out that the available data likely underestimates the actual occurrence of such cases. Based on limited information, the 2013 report identified several types of cancers that have been known to transmit from donor to recipient, including breast cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and renal cancer.

Surgeon contracts cancer after operating on patient

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US issues new advisory linking alcohol to cancer

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1 day ago

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January 3, 2025

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US issues new advisory linking alcohol to cancer

The United States’ Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has issued a public advisory emphasizing the significant link between alcohol consumption and cancer.

Released Friday, the guidance is based on research identifying alcohol as a contributor to at least seven types of cancer.

According to the advisory, alcohol increases the likelihood of developing cancers of the throat, liver, esophagus, mouth, larynx, colon, and rectum. It further identifies alcohol as the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., following tobacco use and obesity.

“Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States – greater than the 13,500 alcohol-associated traffic crash fatalities per year in the U.S. – yet the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk,” Dr. Murthy stated. “This Advisory lays out steps we can all take to increase awareness of alcohol’s cancer risk and minimize harm.”

How Alcohol Contributes to Cancer
The advisory outlines four primary mechanisms by which alcohol increases cancer risk:

Acetaldehyde Exposure: Alcohol breaks down into acetaldehyde, a chemical that can damage DNA and elevate cancer risk.

Oxidative Stress: Alcohol triggers oxidative stress, harming DNA, proteins, and cells while causing inflammation.
Hormonal Changes: Alcohol alters hormone levels, such as estrogen, which has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

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The advisory notes that more than 16% of breast cancer cases are associated with alcohol use.
Enhanced Absorption: Alcohol facilitates conditions that allow it to be absorbed more readily, compounding its risks.

The advisory also emphasizes that individual risk is influenced by a combination of biological, environmental, social, and economic factors.

Steps to Mitigate Risk
Dr. Murthy’s recommendations include adding warning labels to alcoholic beverages highlighting the cancer risk and reassessing guidelines on alcohol consumption limits. He encourages individuals to make informed decisions about their alcohol intake and calls on healthcare professionals to educate the public about the risks.

“Too many Americans are living with an outdated assumption that some amount of alcohol is not only harmless, but also good for you,” the advisory warns.

Expert Reactions
Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor at NYU Langone Health, supported the advisory’s findings. “Increasing evidence shows that [alcohol being harmless] isn’t true,” he told Fox News Digital.

Dr. Siegel noted that alcohol, often viewed as a stress-reliever, is a “proven toxin” with clear links to diseases of the liver, heart, and brain. While traditional guidelines suggest moderate drinking—up to one drink daily for women and two for men—Siegel pointed out, “In fact, no amount of alcohol is healthy.”

The pandemic further complicated the issue, with alcohol consumption rising by 25% during periods of heightened stress and isolation.

“The timing of this advisory is right on the mark,” Dr. Siegel added, stressing the need for a public shift in understanding alcohol’s risks.

 

US issues new advisory linking alcohol to cancer

(FOX NEWS)

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ABU Teaching Hospital will begin kidney transplant in 2025 – CMD

Published

6 days ago

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December 30, 2024

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Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria

ABU Teaching Hospital will begin kidney transplant in 2025 – CMD

The Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria is set to begin kidney transplant surgeries in 2025, aiming to provide relief to patients with kidney failure and reduce medical tourism.

Prof. Ahmed Umdagas, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, revealed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Zaria.

He announced that the Urology Centre of Excellence, which will deliver advanced urology services, is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2025.

“By the first quarter of 2025, ABUTH would commence kidney transplant. What was just holding us was a few infrastructure,” Umdagas said.

He added that most of the required machines and equipment are already in place, and personnel have been adequately trained to deliver the services.

Umdagas stated that the Urology Centre of Excellence at ABUTH would be ready by the first quarter of 2025 to deliver high-quality urology services.

“By the first quarter of 2025, ABUTH will commence kidney transplants. What has been holding us back is a few infrastructure upgrades,” he said.

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He added, “Besides that, most of the machines and equipment required for kidney transplants are available, and our personnel have been adequately trained to provide the services.” 

Amenity wing for enhanced patient care 

Umdagas also revealed plans for an Amenity Wing, designed to accommodate patients from all classes.

According to him, the Amenity Wing will feature a single-bedroom and a room-and-parlor option for affluent patients, emphasizing that ABUTH is committed to offering world-class services.

“The Amenity Wing will have a dedicated line and a website,” Umdagas explained. “The website will showcase the profiles of doctors in the hospital. When a patient wants to see a specific professor or specialist, they will simply need to use the dedicated line or the website to book an appointment seamlessly.” 

Cutting costs for imaging services 

Similarly, the Chief Medical Director (CMD)  also disclosed that a contract has been awarded for the procurement of linear machines to enhance cancer care at the facility.

Speaking on additional efforts to curb medical tourism, the CMD highlighted that ABUTH boasts a fully functional 128 Slice CT Scan machine.

He explained, “If you undergo an investigation abroad requiring the 128 Slice CT Scan, it costs no less than $200, which is over N300,000. Meanwhile, ABUTH charges just N30,000 for the same service.” 

Advanced imaging and lithotripsy services 

The CMD noted that many patients now come to ABUTH for scans, take the results abroad, and continue their treatments there.

“We also have 1.5 Tesla MRI and 0.2 Tesla MRI machines, which are advanced imaging technologies. These machines are fully functional, and the cost for such services at ABUTH is significantly lower than what is charged elsewhere in Nigeria.” , He said.

He added, “We also perform lithotripsy at ABUTH, which involves breaking stones using lasers instead of surgery.” 

IVF milestones and future plans 

Umdagas further shared that the hospital had celebrated over five successful IVF cases in collaboration with its partners.

He revealed plans to establish a dedicated unit for IVF services in future budgets, ensuring all necessary equipment is housed in one facility.

ABU Teaching Hospital will begin kidney transplant in 2025 – CMD

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