Is it safe to eat white rice that turned blue/purple in the fridge?
I left the rice overnight in the fridge and it smells fine, and a sample tasted fine but the color looks unappetizing. Is it safe to eat?
In response to the comments, it was warm and white when I put it in the fridge. Here is a photo that appears less colored than it was. At the bottom underneath it was all purple and blue:
Best Answer
From a bit of research, there is a bacteria called Chromobacterium suttsuga that is put on some types of rice to provide pest-control:
The bacterium’s toxins can be combined with chemical compounds and then applied to soil, plants or seeds. To control soil-dwelling pests, rice grains can be treated with the toxins and applied to the soil, where pests will feed on the treated grains.
This source seems to be referenced in a lot of other scientific papers for agriculture for talking about Chromobacterium suttsuga and pest-control. Some people claim seeing the discoloration on rice after a few days of being left in the fridge in a dark humid environment (like the bottom of a storage container where the discoloration appeared). There are a few forums about this you can find by Googling "white rice turns purple".
For the question on whether or not it is safe to eat, since we don't have the tools to do any biological analysis to be certain it is Chromobacterium suttsuga in the rice I would recommend against eating it. Even though the papers claim this strain of bacteria is safe to consume.
Source: https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/newsletters/vpmnews/mar04/mar04newdefense.html
Pictures about "Is it safe to eat white rice that turned blue/purple in the fridge?"
What happens if rice turns blue?
It's indicating that bacteria is running rampant in the rice. That's a problem. This is new bacteria which is being injected into our diet without our consent. We have no idea what the long term consequences are.Why is my white rice purple?
Purple rice's color is created by a flavonoid called anthocyanin pigment. This same pigment gives blueberries, eggplants, and other healthy fruits and vegetables their deep color. Anthocyanins are phytochemicals found in plants. They may also have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties.How can you tell if refrigerated rice is bad?
Your cooked rice might be spoiled if it has an unpleasant smell. An off smell is a clear sign the food is spoiled and you should discard it immediately. Another clue rice is spoiled is if the grains are hard and dry. Leftover rice that is crunchy or dry when reheated should not be consumed.Does white rice go bad in the fridge?
Cooking with riceRefrigeration won't kill the bacteria but it will slow down their growth. For this reason, any uneaten leftover rice should be thrown out after five days in the fridge. Any longer and you risk having enough of the food poisoning bacteria present to make you sick.Why Does Garlic Turn Blue When It's Pickled?
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Klaus Nielsen, Michael Burrows, Cats Coming, Madison Inouye