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Why leftover rice should not be reheated

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2 years 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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WHO Declares Nigeria Ebola-Free, 52 Contacts Remain Under Surveillance

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1 week ago

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October 26, 2026

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WHO Declares Nigeria Ebola-Free, 52 Contacts Remain Under Surveillance

 

The World Health Organisation has declared Nigeria free of active Ebola cases after the evacuation of country’s lone confirmed patient to Switzerland.

Health authorities however continue to monitor 52 contacts to prevent a possible spread of the deadly disease.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, announced this in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Monday, confirming that Nigeria would retain responsibility for monitoring 52 contacts, while Switzerland would take over the patient’s continued medical care and follow up with her husband.

Janabi said the patient was clinically stable after Nigerian medical teams successfully managed her through the acute phase of the illness and stabilised her condition before her evacuation.

“Nigeria is now Ebola-free following the evacuation of the index patient to Switzerland,” he said.

He added that Nigeria would maintain close follow-up of the 52 contacts, while Switzerland would assume responsibility for the continued management of the patient and the monitoring of contact number 53, her husband.

The development follows an earlier confirmation by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention that the country had recorded an imported Ebola case involving a patient from Uganda.

Following the confirmation, the NCDC placed 53 contacts under surveillance in Abuja as part of measures to track possible exposure and prevent further transmission.

Although the evacuation of the patient has removed the confirmed case from Nigeria, health authorities are expected to sustain surveillance of the identified contacts in line with established public health protocols.

The monitoring exercise remains critical to ensuring that any potential emergence of symptoms among those exposed is detected promptly and managed appropriately.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease that can spread through direct contact with the blood and other bodily fluids of an infected person or someone who has died from the disease.

Public health authorities typically rely on early detection, contact tracing, isolation and appropriate medical care to contain outbreaks and prevent further transmission.

With the index patient now receiving continued care in Switzerland, Nigeria’s immediate focus remains on monitoring the 52 contacts and ensuring that the outbreak does not lead to further infections.

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NAFDAC Busts Illegal Herbal Factory in Lagos, Arrests Manager Over Fake Registration Number

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2 weeks ago

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October 21, 2026

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NAFDAC Busts Illegal Herbal Factory in Lagos, Arrests Manager Over Fake Registration Number
NAFDAC Busts Illegal Herbal Factory in Lagos, Arrests Manager Over Fake Registration Number

LAGOS — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected illegal herbal product manufacturing facility in Agege, Lagos State, and arrested its manager over the alleged use of a falsified registration number on herbal products.

The agency disclosed the development on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, following an investigation triggered by a report published by The Guardian on October 10 concerning herbal products allegedly carrying fake NAFDAC registration numbers.

According to NAFDAC, its investigative team conducted surveillance before discovering three variants of Asheitu Adams Bitters bearing registration number A7-1827L.

However, checks through the agency’s NAFDAC Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS) revealed that the registration number belonged to Greentol Cough Syrup, rather than the herbal bitters.

The agency said the discovery confirmed the fraudulent use of the registration number on the products.

During the operation, the company’s managing director and chief executive officer was reportedly absent, while the manager was arrested for further interrogation as investigations continued.

The Sun identified the arrested manager as 39-year-old Abdullazeez Saidu from Kano State. NAFDAC had not announced any court charges against him as of Wednesday.

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The agency urged members of the public to provide credible information about suspected illegal manufacturing activities to help strengthen enforcement efforts and protect consumers from potentially unsafe products.

NAFDAC provided the following channels for reporting suspected violations: its call centre numbers, 0800-1-623322 and 0700-1-623322, and the email address reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.

The discovery comes amid a series of enforcement operations by the agency against suspected counterfeit and adulterated products in Lagos and other parts of the country.

On October 14, NAFDAC reported uncovering a suspected facility at the International Trade Fair Complex in Lagos where expired alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages were allegedly being repackaged for sale. The agency also reported seizures of suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks in other operations.

The latest operation highlights concerns about the misuse of regulatory registration numbers, which consumers often rely on when assessing whether products have been registered for sale in Nigeria.

NAFDAC has repeatedly urged consumers to verify product registration details and report suspicious products or manufacturing activities.

The agency’s investigation into the Agege facility is ongoing, and further details about the products recovered, their distribution and any potential health effects have not been publicly disclosed.

NAFDAC Busts Illegal Herbal Factory in Lagos, Arrests Manager Over Fake Registration Number

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FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts

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October 20, 2026

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FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts

FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts

The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, after laboratory tests returned positive for a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the development on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, saying health authorities had identified 44 close contacts and commenced contact tracing to prevent further transmission.

According to the minister, the patient was admitted to a private hospital in Abuja, where she received medical attention for several days before the infection was confirmed. She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is coordinating the response with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities.

Public health teams are tracing and monitoring people who may have been exposed to the patient, including healthcare workers, other patients, caregivers and people who travelled with her.

The government said surveillance had been intensified, while the hospital where the woman received treatment was receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

The minister urged public and private healthcare facilities across Nigeria to remain on high alert and promptly identify, isolate and report suspected cases to the appropriate public health authorities.

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Healthcare workers were also directed to maintain strict infection prevention and control practices to reduce the risk of exposure and protect patients and medical personnel.

Pate appealed to Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with health officials, stressing that early detection and prompt reporting were essential to containing the infection.

He noted that Nigeria had successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 and had experience and public health systems to respond to the current situation.

The government also urged anyone contacted during the tracing exercise, including passengers who may have travelled with the patient, to provide the necessary information and comply with official public health guidance.

Ebola virus disease is a serious illness that can spread through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, or through contaminated objects and materials.

Symptoms may include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea. The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed and subsequently develops symptoms should contact public health authorities for guidance and avoid close contact with others while awaiting advice.

The NCDC operates a toll-free call centre on 6232, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for information and reports of suspected cases.

Nigeria’s latest case comes amid a wider Ebola outbreak affecting parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and countries in East Africa. The NCDC had previously warned of the risk of imported infections and strengthened national preparedness measures.

The Federal Government said investigations and contact tracing were continuing, with further updates expected through the NCDC and the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease.

Authorities have urged the public to rely on verified information, follow official health advice and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports as efforts continue to contain the infection.

 

FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts

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