Can rice still be eaten after being refrigerated for 5 days

It is not recommended to consume rice that has been refrigerated for 5 days. Although a refrigerated environment can delay spoilage, it cannot completely inhibit microbial growth, and refrigerated rice that has been stored for more than 3 days poses a high food safety risk.

Refrigerated rice is relatively safe within 48 hours, during which the degree of starch aging is relatively mild, and the taste is still acceptable after reheating. A refrigerator at 4 ℃ can inhibit some bacterial activity, but low-temperature resistant Bacillus cereus and other bacteria may still reproduce slowly. The toxins produced by these bacteria are resistant to high temperatures and cannot be completely eliminated by ordinary heating. Consuming them may cause vomiting and diarrhea. If the refrigerated rice has become sticky, sour, or yellowed in color, it indicates that it has spoiled and must be discarded. In special circumstances, refrigerated rice that has not spoiled should be thoroughly heated to a center temperature of 100 ℃ for at least 3 minutes to reduce some risks. However, rice that has been refrigerated for a long time suffers from severe nutrient loss, a significant decrease in vitamin B content, and a dry, hard, and rough taste. Infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals should avoid consuming overnight refrigerated rice to prevent food poisoning.

Daily recommendation: Cook rice as needed to avoid excessive leftovers. Rice stored for a short period of time should be sealed with plastic wrap and refrigerated as soon as possible, ensuring even heating during reheating. Choosing a well sealed freshness box can reduce cross contamination and moisture loss, but it is still recommended to consume within 24 hours. If long-term storage is required, the rice can be packaged and frozen, and it is safer to steam it thoroughly before consumption.