'Fried rice syndrome' is real and can kill you, doctor says

Let's face it, we've all had a takeaway, left it on the side, passed out, and then scranned it the following morning.

Because after all, nothing quite beats yesterday's Domino's Pizza when you've got a hangover or simply can't be bothered to cook.

While in most cases, that's probably fine to do. I mean, it's not harmed me yet! But as it happens, it turns out there's one dish which you really shouldn't leave on the side, rice.

Although you should keep any leftovers refrigerated, in most cases, as long as it hasn't been left on the side too long, it's commonly considered okay to eat leftovers.

Rice and pasta, on the over hand, could lead to some serious health issues, or even death, if left at room temperature and then consumed.

What is fried rice syndrome?

'Fried rice syndrome' is a type of food poisoning which is caused by bacterium called Bacillus cereus.

Bacillus cereus is extremely common, but can cause an issue if it gets into food that hasn't been stored properly.

While food such as rice and pasta are the main cause of food poisoning from Bacillus cereus, it can also be caused when the bacterium makes its way into cooked vegetables and meat.

The main symptoms of fried rice syndrome are diarrhoea and vomiting, although you could find that you only have one or the other.

In most cases, fried rice syndrome isn't fatal, however, this was sadly the case for a 20-year-old who died from the condition in 2008.

How to prevent fried rice syndrome

As explained on drjoe_md's Instagram post, there are a few steps you can take to help protect yourself and make sure your food is safe to eat.

In the video, he explains that rice and pasta should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours before being consumed.

He goes on to explain that at med school, students are taught the phrase 're-heat rice, B Cereus' to help them remember.

To keep yourself safe, experts suggest that you follow these steps when handling food:

• Store rice and pasta in a cool dry place
• Make sure to wash your hands with soap before and after handling food
• Always make sure your food is fully cooked
• Don't leave food to cool for more than two hours
• Make sure to reheat food properly
• Store leftovers in a sealed container
• Throw out any food that was cooked more than two days ago.

Times might be tough, but the rule of thumb is, if you're not sure if food is safe to eat, don't eat it.