Everything You Need to Know About 'Fried Rice Syndrome,' the Scary Issue Having a Major Moment on TikTok

Beth Ann Mayer
·5 min read
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Fried rice

What is fried rice syndrome? It's a question people are asking, in large part because of—you guessed it—TikTok. Recently, one user, @jpall20, posted a now-viral video urging people to put leftover food in the fridge instead of leaving it out on a counter and consuming it days later. In the video, the TikToker pulled up a story of a 20-year-old who tragically died because of "fried rice syndrome," sometimes called "leftover rice syndrome."

Fried rice syndrome is actually a misnomer, though. The 20-year-old man who passed away from "fried rice syndrome" actually died after consuming pasta that was five days old and left unrefrigerated.

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"For all the students and meal preppers out there, do not make your food, put it in a Tupperware, and then leave it on your counter for a week," the TikTok user stressed.

Big yikes. The video can seem fear-mongering and send you tapping out of TikTok and heading down a Google rabbit hole, furiously searching "fried rice syndrome pasta." Instead, experts suggest researching the basics of food storage. "Everyone should know how to store foods safely to prevent food-borne illnesses," says Beth Czerwony, RD, a registered dietitian with the Cleveland Clinic Center for Human Nutrition.

What is fried rice syndrome, and how can you prevent it from happening to you? Experts shared their insights.

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What Is Fried Rice Syndrome?

The name sounds fun—who doesn't love fried rice?—but trust us, it's not. "Fried rice syndrome is a catchy name for food poisoning caused by the bacteria Bacillus cereus (B. cereus)," explains Kalyn True, RD, a registered dietitian with Memorial Hermann in Houston.

While the story of the 20-year-old who died from eating old, unrefrigerated pasta is having a moment, problems relating to Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) are not new or uncommon. The Cleveland Clinic reports that more than 63,400 cases of B. cereus occur in the U.S. every year.

Back up. What's Bacillus cereus (B. cereus)? "B. cereus is ubiquitous and is often associated with foods grown in soil but is found on many types of foods," says Jill Stuber, a food safety consultant and coach at Catalyst LLC. "This bacteria has the unique ability to protect itself with an outer layer called a spore. When conditions are right, it sheds its protective spore layer, grows, and produces a heat-stable toxin."

Double-tap on that last part about conditions, because it's important. "When foods that may carry B. cereus are initially cooked, the cooking process allows the bacteria to shed their protective layer," Stuber says. "B. cereus becomes a risk when food is not refrigerated correctly, allowing the bacteria to grow or produce toxins that make people ill. Because the toxin is heat-stable, it can survive even if properly reheated, so it is critical to prevent the bacteria from growing."

Importantly, True stresses that fried rice syndrome can happen with more than fried rice. "Any starchy food left at room temperature for a while can harbor this bacteria," True says. And the bacteria can develop within hours.

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What Are the Symptoms of Fried Rice Syndrome?

Czerwony points out that fried rice syndrome is a form of food poisoning. "Nausea, vomiting [and] diarrhea [are common]," Czerwony says. "Extreme cases may result in liver failure and death."

If you have fried rice syndrome, you'll know pretty quickly. "Symptoms usually appear quickly, within one to hours of eating contaminated food," True says. "The biggest risk is young children, the elderly or people who are immune compromised. They may experience dehydration or more severe complications."

Usually, symptoms will be unpleasant but should clear up on their own rather quickly too. "Most people will have mild symptoms that will pass within 24 to 48 hours," Stuber says. "If symptoms worsen or are longer, seek professional medical attention."

Czerwony agrees that an ER trip is in order if symptoms persist or are severe. The good news is that in most cases, fried rice syndrome is treatable. "Treatment includes hydration, antiemetics and any other medical intervention used to treat GI symptoms," Czerwony says.

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How to Prevent Fried Rice Syndrome

It's better to prevent fried rice syndrome than have to treat it—and you hold that power. "By practicing safe food handling, consumers can reduce the likelihood of issues like fried rice syndrome," Stuber says.

Stuber offered a few more tips, pointing to these CDC recommendations:

  • Keep things clean, such as by washing hands, surfaces and utensils.

  • Proper cooking, including ensuring foods are cooked at a safe minimum internal temperature. This step helps kill bacteria that trigger food-borne illness. Stuber says foodsafety.gov is a clutch resource to use when cooking.

  • Cool foods quickly to below 40°F and keep them cool to prevent bacteria growth. (True and the USDA recommends refrigerating food within two hours of cooking.)

  • Keep raw (or uncooked) foods that can spread germs separate from cooked or ready-to-eat foods. "This applies to separating foods when brought home from the grocery store, when stored and even for items like cutting boards to minimize the chance of cross-contamination," Stuber says.

Next up: 'I'm a Cardiologist and This is the Nut I Eat Almost Every Day for Heart Health'

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