How many days can cooked rice be stored

Boiled rice can generally be stored at room temperature for 1 day, refrigerated for 3-4 days, and frozen for about 1 month. The actual storage time is affected by factors such as storage temperature, sealing degree, environmental humidity, rice moisture content, and whether it is repeatedly heated. Rice is prone to bacterial growth, especially Bacillus cereus, at room temperature, which may lead to food poisoning. During high temperatures in summer, storing at room temperature for more than 4 hours poses a risk. Refrigerated storage should be sealed with cling film or placed in a sealed container to avoid cross contamination and moisture loss. Before consuming refrigerated rice again, it should be thoroughly heated to a center temperature exceeding 70 degrees Celsius to kill any potential pathogenic bacteria. Freezing storage can significantly extend the shelf life of rice, but the taste will gradually harden. It is recommended to divide into small portions as needed before freezing to avoid repeated thawing. When thawing, you can use a microwave or heat it separately from water, and add a small amount of water to help restore softness. It should be noted that rice frozen for more than a month may experience significant changes in taste and gradually decrease in nutritional value. Regardless of the storage method used, the condition of the rice should be observed before consuming it again. If there are any abnormal phenomena such as sticky, brushed, sour or moldy spots, they should be discarded immediately. Suggest cooking and eating according to actual consumption to reduce the probability of leftover food. For people with weak digestive function, it is even more important to avoid consuming rice that has been stored for too long to prevent gastrointestinal discomfort. Reasonable meal planning and scientific storage can effectively balance dietary safety and nutrient retention.