If you’ve ever tossed out a carton of milk or a container of yogurt solely because the date on the packaging had passed, you’re not alone. Many people throw away food simply because of the date printed on the label. But often it is still perfectly edible, according to experts.…
I’ve seen refrigerated cooked rice turn pink and slimey in spots. I trash the dodgy looking stuff and fry the rest. Is that a bad idea? I got away with it twice so far. Now I leave the lid loose so some of the moisture can escape.
(edit) after reading the link posted by ‘solo’, I guess i should freeze rice if I don’t use it after a couple days.
I gotta admit I’m a bit confused because none of the articles posted here - articles made specifically to talk about if rice is safe - seem to be aware of fried rice syndrome? The thing that is such a thing that it got an own name?
The danger about fried rice syndrome is that it is unnoticeable. Meat goes bad, it stinks or gets white dots, etc. Fried rice syndrome, it doesn’t appear different at all and you can just straight up die from it. Restaurants only make rice fresh because of this danger.
But restaurants are extra careful, of course. At home, if you make sure to cool your rice quickly it’s ok. Which also means, don’t put one huge bowl of warm rice I to your fridge, because it will stay warm enough for the bacteria in the middle.
It’s also one if those things that doesn’t happen often, so there’s a chance you go through your whole life without this ever being a problem, but I don’t wanna die from bowl of rice.
I suppose, yes and no. In a way the tricky thing is to know what to look for: to be able to recognize that a slimy texture is a sign that it has gone bad.
Here are some more medically reviewd tips from healthline:
Of course this approach has its limits. I thought it was clear when I said that this method is to “check if food went bad”.
If something like meat has not been cooked, or a dairy product has not been properly pasteurised, or there where unsanitary food production conditions, or not canned properly etc, this method does not apply.
It is definately not a way to check if something is eadible in general. And if you are pregnant or have special diatery needs, you know the specifics of your situation.
AFAIK, you can’t visually assess whether something’s been “properly” pasteurized or canned, and plenty of traditional dishes use un/semi-cooked meats.
The saying smacks of <90s (if not <50s) in its deceptive simplicity, and assumption that the listener is smart enough to suss out the rare moments it’s applicable.
Similarly, I was camping waaay out some years back, and discovered during pack-out that one of my magic chocolate truffles was missing. I found it by the firewood cache, but nearly half eaten, and still being gripped in one of the dead mouse’s forepaws. 🤷🏼♂️ Ya live & learn, or ya don’t, I guess. That little guy rejoined the cosmos in Technicolor, though! 🤗
I don’t remember who told me this “system” to check if food went bad, but it’s a great one imo
Gotta be careful with cooked rice because it goes deadly in a way that’s unnoticable
I’ve seen refrigerated cooked rice turn pink and slimey in spots. I trash the dodgy looking stuff and fry the rest. Is that a bad idea? I got away with it twice so far. Now I leave the lid loose so some of the moisture can escape.
(edit) after reading the link posted by ‘solo’, I guess i should freeze rice if I don’t use it after a couple days.
I gotta admit I’m a bit confused because none of the articles posted here - articles made specifically to talk about if rice is safe - seem to be aware of fried rice syndrome? The thing that is such a thing that it got an own name?
The danger about fried rice syndrome is that it is unnoticeable. Meat goes bad, it stinks or gets white dots, etc. Fried rice syndrome, it doesn’t appear different at all and you can just straight up die from it. Restaurants only make rice fresh because of this danger.
But restaurants are extra careful, of course. At home, if you make sure to cool your rice quickly it’s ok. Which also means, don’t put one huge bowl of warm rice I to your fridge, because it will stay warm enough for the bacteria in the middle.
It’s also one if those things that doesn’t happen often, so there’s a chance you go through your whole life without this ever being a problem, but I don’t wanna die from bowl of rice.
I suppose, yes and no. In a way the tricky thing is to know what to look for: to be able to recognize that a slimy texture is a sign that it has gone bad.
Here are some more medically reviewd tips from healthline:
Does Rice Go Bad? Shelf Life, Expiration Date, and Safe Storage
Yea, good advice. But also good to remember you can’t smell or taste salmonella, e coli, listeria, botulism, etc…
Of course this approach has its limits. I thought it was clear when I said that this method is to “check if food went bad”.
If something like meat has not been cooked, or a dairy product has not been properly pasteurised, or there where unsanitary food production conditions, or not canned properly etc, this method does not apply.
It is definately not a way to check if something is eadible in general. And if you are pregnant or have special diatery needs, you know the specifics of your situation.
AFAIK, you can’t visually assess whether something’s been “properly” pasteurized or canned, and plenty of traditional dishes use un/semi-cooked meats.
The saying smacks of <90s (if not <50s) in its deceptive simplicity, and assumption that the listener is smart enough to suss out the rare moments it’s applicable.
(aside: definitely*, edible*)
That is a good reminder, thank you
I would add: if it tastes off, spit it out, as tasting does not imply swallowing.
Worth noting as well that the taste test can kill you when dealing with some very toxic variaties of wild mushrooms – even if you spit it out.
Yeah, those rules don’t feel meant for foraging, just for assessing spoilage
So, they’re universal “rules” like the timeless “i before e” one, right?
They never met a wild mushroom, I assume.
Yesterday, I passed a deer chowing down on mushroom fairy ring. Not really relevant, but your mention of mushrooms reminded me.
Similarly, I was camping waaay out some years back, and discovered during pack-out that one of my magic chocolate truffles was missing. I found it by the firewood cache, but nearly half eaten, and still being gripped in one of the dead mouse’s forepaws. 🤷🏼♂️ Ya live & learn, or ya don’t, I guess. That little guy rejoined the cosmos in Technicolor, though! 🤗
Thank you for sharing this.