Ever found yourself staring at a container of leftover rice, wondering if it's still good to eat? You're not alone. We get that rice is a go-to staple for quick and easy meals, but it also raises questions about food safety and shelf life.

So, how long can you keep that rice in the fridge before it loses its charm? Whether you're meal prepping or just trying to stretch last night's dinner into today's lunch, understanding the fridge life of rice is key to delicious, worry-free eating.

Read on to get the scoop on what you need to know to keep your rice fresh and tasty.

So, what happens if you push the envelope and eat rice that's been sitting in the fridge past those seven golden days?

It's a dicey game to play that comes with a few risks:

• Food poisoning: The main culprit here is Bacillus cereus, a bacteria famous for hanging out in improperly stored rice. It can cause some unpleasant symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and it doesn’t always give off a bad odor or appearance, so you might not know the rice has gone off until it's too late.

• Texture and taste deterioration: Even if you dodge food poisoning, old rice won't do your dishes any favors. It can get hard, dry out, or become overly mushy, and the flavors can turn as well, making it far from appetizing.

If you’re eyeing some rice that’s been in the fridge for a bit too long, it might be safer and tastier just to start fresh. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out.