How long is rice good for in the fridge?
In this brief article we will address the query, “ How long is rice good for in the fridge?” We will talk about how to tell if your cooked rice has gone off. We will further discuss the risks of consuming expired rice.
How long is rice good for in the fridge?
Cooked rice can keep for about 4 to 7 days in the fridge before going bad. Anything past this time frame the rice can possibly lose its flavor, texture and quality and even result in food poisoning if consumed.
One of the easiest ways to know if cooked rice has gone bad is through its smell or texture. Spoiled rice will spot a slimy texture and an off odor, not to mention any sign of discoloration which signals the growth of mold. If you spot any of the above, immediately safely discard the rice. Read further to learn in depth how to tell your rice has spoiled.
How do you tell that cooked rice has gone off?
How fast your cooked rice spoils primarily depends on how it was preserved. Some tell-tale signs that your cooked rice has spoiled are as below:
It gives off a strange smell
One warning sign that it’s time to discard your rice is a funky and sour smell emanating from it. This clearly shows that bacteria have grown over the rice and you are better off discarding it immediately.
It has a dry, crumbly and tough texture
This is another sign that your rice needs to be thrown away. When rice is stored for long periods in the fridge it will tend to lose a lot of its moisture content. Even if you do not find it to have a funny smell, sitting in the fridge for too long puts it at risk of bacteria growth.
It is slimy
This is another red flag that your cooked rice has definitely spoiled. Slimy slime signals that it had a lot of moisture content which promoted the growth of bacteria. Discard it with immediate effect.
How long does dry rice keep?
The type of rice you purchase plays an integral role on how long it keeps. There are very many varieties of dry rice but the key difference in matters of shelf life all comes down to whether its white or brown rice.
As brown rice is not processed it contains a lot of oil and fat content and will therefore turn rancid much faster than white rice.
However, both white and brown rice are shelf-stable when dry and can therefore be safely stored at ambient room temperatures.
The shelf lives of white and brown rice are as below:
- White rice: Can store well for up to 2 years
- Brown rice: Can store well for 3 to 6 months.
How can you tell if dry rice has gone bad?
It is relatively easy to tell if dry rice has gone bad. This is because all shelf-stable foods come with an expiration date. Some other wording such as best-by and use-by date might be used but they relatively have the same meaning.
Checking the date is an easy way of doing it. You can also check the packaging for any signs of spoilage such as bugs, holes, dampness or presence of moisture which can promote the growth of mold.
For brown rice you can look for any signs of discoloration, a rancid or weird smell or an oily texture on the rice.
The best way to store your rice so as to elongate its shelf life is ensuring that you store it in a dry place such as in a kitchen cupboard and in the pantry.
To keep any bugs away which can infest the rice, ensure that you store it in an airtight container.
What are the dangers of consuming expired rice?
Expired rice may harbor harmful mold or fungi. These fungi can produce mycotoxins which can lead to food poisoning. If you consume that is contaminated with mycotoxins you can possibly get food poisoning with symptoms such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pains
- Weak immune system
Another risk of expired rice or cooked rice which has been improperly prepared and handled is a bacteria known as Bacillus cereus. Bacillus cereus can lead to food poisoning with symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pains.
It can as well survive cooking making it very dangerous. You should therefore ensure that any cooked rice is either refrigerated or frozen no longer than 2 hours after its cooked.
Conclusion
In this brief article we have addressed the query, “ How long is rice good for in the fridge?” We have talked about how to tell if your cooked rice has gone off. We have further discussed the risks of consuming expired rice.
Citations
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/does-rice-go-bad#dangers
https://www.bhg.com.au/how-long-does-cooked-rice-last-in-the-fridge
