Food experts always say that avoid eating food which has been kept open at room temperature for a long time. Especially- rice, pasta, dry food items, as these can increase your risk of fried rice syndrome. This disease is food poisoning caused by Bacillus cereus bacteria. When food is kept out of the freezer for a long time, bacteria start growing in it. Once again this syndrome has become a topic of discussion on social media because a 15 year old case is trending once again.
For those who are not aware of the bacteria behind Fried Rice Syndrome, let us tell you that this term was first reported in Belgium in 2008. A case report in the ‘Journal of Clinical Microbiology’ states that a student ate reheated spaghetti that was kept out of the refrigerator for five days. He ate the spaghetti kept outside after reheating it in the microwave and died the next night due to symptoms like nausea, headache and stomach upset.
What is fried rice syndrome?
The foodborne illness caused by Bacillus cereus, a widespread bacterium present in every environment, leads to fried rice syndrome. The Conversation claims that Bacillus cereus is a specific bacterium that can be found in any part of the environment. If it gets into some cooked foods that have been improperly preserved. So it can cause serious health problems. Starchy foods like pasta and rice are central to the syndrome. However, it may also affect other foods, such as meat dishes and cooked vegetables. These microorganisms produce poisons that are more likely to grow when food is stored at room temperature or without refrigeration.
Symptoms of Fried Rice Syndrome
One type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning is Bacillus cereus. There are two types of infections related to this bacteria: one that causes vomiting and the other that causes diarrhea. Although symptoms usually go away within a few days, people with weakened immune systems may need medical care. Bacillus cereus is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other gastrointestinal illnesses.