‘Fried rice syndrome’ refers to food poisoning from a bacterium called Bacillus Cereus, which becomes a risk when cooked food is left at room temperature for too long.

Why rice is a prime candidate Uncooked rice can contain spores of Bacillus cereus, which can persist even after cooking. “It grows from about 5 C to about 60 C,” Tetro said.

Here’s what to know. How does rice food poisoning occur? Bacillus cereus is all around us: It’s in soil, fresh and marine waters, on plants, and even inside the gut of some animals.

Bacillus cereus under the microscope. (Flickr: Hanna Sörensson) These bacteria produce toxins that will give you a (usually) mild vomiting illness shortly after you eat the contaminated food ...

Bacillus cereus thrives in pre-cooked starchy foods, like rice and pasta, per the USDA, and optimal growth occurs between 40 degrees and 140 degrees Fahrenheit (also known as the “danger zone ...

5. Avoid Repeated Heating: Each time rice is reheated, it can spend additional time in the danger zone. It is best to only reheat the portion you intend to consume. 6. Monitor for Spoilage: Check ...

What is 'fried rice syndrome'? Bacillus cereus is a common bacterium found all over the environment. It begins to cause problems if it gets into certain foods that are cooked and not stored properly.