Fried Rice Syndrome: Here’s How Reheating Your Food Could Lead to Fatal Food Poisoning

Consuming food that has been left out unrefrigerated can truly result in food illness. How much more when the food was kept at room temperature for five days before consumption? Earlier this week, "Fried Rice Syndrome" has taken the internet by storm. But what exactly is it, and what makes it so deadly?

A tragic story that happened 15 years ago about a student from Belgium who died from food poisoning has resurfaced on social media. This draws the public's attention and is currently regarded as one of the most popular videos on TikTok called "Fried Rice Syndrome."

Fatal Food Poisoning

The term "Fried Rice Syndrome" refers to food poisoning brought on by Bacillus cereus, a species of bacteria that can produce spores capable of releasing deadly toxins. People become infected with the microorganisms, which cause diarrhea and vomiting when they swallow food contaminated with the bacteria. An intestinal infection caused by Bacillus cereus can, in extreme circumstances, lead to acute liver failure and ultimately cause death.

In 2008, a student in Belgium who was 20 years old passed away unexpectedly after eating leftover pasta with tomato sauce that he had prepared himself five days earlier and left out on the kitchen counter at room temperature instead of putting it in the freezer for later consumption

As stated, soon after reheating the spaghetti and eating it, he started experiencing severe nausea and other gastrointestinal issues, and he ended up in the hospital. The body of the young man, who appeared to be in perfect health, was discovered the following morning.

In addition, an autopsy indicated that he suffered acute liver failure, and tests confirmed that the pasta had significant quantities of a microbe called Bacillus cereus. On the other hand, even though the autopsy had been put off, the authors of the case report in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology concluded that the data directed to Bacillus cereus was the most likely cause of death.

Can You Get Food Sickness From Reheating Leftovers?

Consuming some foods that have been reheated, regardless of whether they were heated in a microwave or an oven, can increase the likelihood that you will become ill with food poisoning, nausea, or diarrhea. An article from WebMD stated that it could be challenging to detect bacteria since the infected leftovers often have an acceptable appearance, flavor, and odor.

Pasta and rice that have not been cooked may have spores of bacteria known as Bacillus cereus. Bacterial spores are the tiniest protective capsules that facilitate hibernation until the bacteria can resume growth. As mentioned, boiling these spores will not eliminate them because they can endure high temperatures. The bacteria reportedly wake up and multiply once the rice has been cooked and cooled to room temperature.

Moreover, it is possible to become ill from the bacteria as well as the toxins it produces. If cooked rice or pasta is left out for an extended period, the likelihood that it will contain bacteria and the toxins it creates will increase. Accordingly, if contaminated food is consumed, an individual will have symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and sometimes even vomiting within a few hours.

Furthermore, pasta and rice should be consumed after cooking as soon as possible. Once cooled, immediately refrigerate the substance. Consume the leftovers within one day of making them. When the food is reheated, ensure that all the rice is steamed before it is served. Never reheat anything; throw it away if there's any left.