For many, cooking rice is the easiest job and for the right reasons, you can cook a lot and store it for later. But the problem is not that; it is about how you store it. Lurking in your pile of grains is a hidden bacterium called Bacillus cereus. It thrives on raw rice and survives even after cooking. And the alarming bit is that if you do not store your rice correctly, this bacterium can multiply, releasing toxins that can cause food poisoning.

Food poisoning could lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps, and, in rare cases, infections so severe they can cause organ failure. It is scary, but the worst part is that you cannot see, smell, or taste the danger. A bowl of rice can look perfectly fine while it can quietly wreak havoc in your stomach.

A common thing we all do is leave the leftover rice in the kitchen or on the dining table with just a lid on. But it is more than that, and it is the temperature that plays an important role. So, we are making a huge mistake if we leave it at room temperature.

Here is the safer way to deal with leftover rice and cut the risk of falling seriously sick:

Unlike pasta or potatoes, rice is classed as a high-risk food once cooked. In commercial kitchens, chefs treat it with caution. It is rarely kept overnight and almost never used the next day. That is because of Bacillus cereus and its stubborn little spores.

The Spores That Survive the Heat

Cooking rice does not wipe out Bacillus cereus. The spores are heat-resistant, which means they are still alive and kicking after you have drained your pan. Once the rice cools down, those spores can multiply into bacteria at lightning speed. The longer your rice sits at room temperature, the more the bacteria multiply. And unfortunately, their toxic by-products do not just disappear when you put the rice in the microwave.

Reheating rice does not make it safe. The toxins Bacillus cereus produces are heat-stable. They survive your microwave, oven, or stove reheat session. That means the rice could look fine, taste fine, and even smell fine, but still make you sick.

The Common Storage Mistake

Where do most people go wrong? They leave the rice out too long before refrigerating it. That is more than enough time for Bacillus cereus to thrive and pump toxins into your rice. The second mistake is thinking that reheating alone will make it safe. Unfortunately, it will not. As TikTok chef Joshy Jin says, those toxins are invisible, tasteless, and can survive heating. A bowl that looks perfectly fine can knock you down with food poisoning in just hours.

How to Store Leftover Rice the Right Way

If you must keep leftover rice, speed is everything. Here is what food safety experts and chefs recommend:

• Cool it fast. Spread the rice out on a plate or baking tray so it cools within 10 minutes. Clumping it in a pot traps heat and gives bacteria time to multiply.
• Refrigerate quickly. Once it is no longer steaming, cover it and get it into the fridge. Do not leave it hanging out on the counter.
• Stick to the 24-hour rule. The Food Standards Agency advises eating refrigerated rice within one day. Some chefs say two, but the fresher, the safer.
• Reheat until piping hot. If you do reheat, make sure it is steaming all the way through, not just lukewarm in the middle.

Fresh is Best Any Day

Rice is deceptively dangerous when it comes to leftovers. Bacillus cereus spores are survivors, and once they release toxins, no amount of reheating can save your meal. The safest thing to do is to cook only what you need. If you are planning fried rice tomorrow, store it properly, cool it fast, and keep it in the fridge for no longer than a day. But otherwise, embrace the ritual of fresh rice-making.

Protein powder lead consumer reports: Some protein powders and shakes have been found to contain unsafe amounts of lead, according to a recent Consumer Reports investigation. The report, released Tuesday, analyzed 23 protein products, including dairy, beef, and plant-based supplements and revealed that over two-thirds contained more lead per serving than what experts consider safe, which is around 0.5 micrograms a day.

With growing concern over heavy metal contamination in protein powders, it’s worth exploring healthier, safer alternatives to meet your protein needs.

Protein Powders, Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead and Other Metals, Consumer Reports Finds

“Protein powders and shakes have become incredibly popular among people looking to add more protein to their diet,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, in a news release. “Our tests found that toxic heavy metal contamination in protein supplements is widespread and has worsened since we first examined these products 15 years ago.”

According to the findings, plant-based protein powders had the highest levels of lead, averaging about nine times more than dairy-based options like whey and twice as much as beef-based products.

Among the products tested, Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Mass Gainer and Huel’s Black Edition were identified as containing the highest levels of lead and were listed under “products to avoid.” The full list of tested brands is available in the report.

Protein Powder Lead Consumer Reports: Alternatives To Protein Powder And Health Supplements

Andrew Mock, MD, MPH, a preventive and lifestyle medicine specialist at Loma Linda University Health and also California’s Strongest Man says the flood of protein products in the fitness market can often lead people to spend large sums on items that may not be beneficial, necessary, or even safe.

“For a non-active adult, about 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight is enough to prevent deficiency,” Mock explains. “For those who exercise regularly, the target should be 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram daily. Higher amounts can be safe, but most people don’t actually need that much.”

Although protein shakes are convenient, nearly half of Americans (46%) drink them regularly Mock notes that they are not essential.

“You can easily meet your protein needs with regular food,” he says. “Protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes are helpful for busy days, but they shouldn’t be treated as dietary must-haves.”

Whole food protein sources include:

• Eggs
• Fish such as salmon, tuna, and cod
• Greek yogurt
• Cottage cheese
• Milk
• Beans like black, kidney, and lentils
• Chickpeas
• Tofu
• Quinoa
• Chia seeds
• Flaxseeds
• Nut butters such as peanut, almond, or cashew

When time allows, homemade protein shakes made with natural ingredients are another safe and nutritious choice.

What Safe Supplements Should You Take?

While supplement companies are required to register with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agency doesn’t routinely test their products. This lack of regular oversight raises safety issues, including contamination.

“It’s surprisingly common for even well-known supplement brands to contain harmful ingredients,” Mock warns. “These can include heavy metals, anabolic steroids, or other banned substances. One study even found that one in eight supplements contained illicit materials.”

Contamination has been detected across various products, from protein powders and multivitamins to herbal capsules with some not even containing what their labels promise.

To reduce these risks, Mock advises checking packaging for third-party testing certifications, which confirm that a product meets strict safety standards.

“Look for labels such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) mark, or certifications like Informed for Sport and Certified for Sport,” he says. “Another key label is current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP), which means the supplement is produced under proper safety and hygiene conditions monitored by the FDA.”

These certifications offer a level of reassurance that a supplement has been independently tested and verified. By checking for them, consumers can make smarter and safer choices when buying protein powders or other health products.

Consumer Reports Protein Powder: The Consumer Reports Protein Powder Investigation, titled 'Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead', revealed, as the name suggests that some of the most popular and widely known protein powder were found with leads and other metal contents. The report was published on Tuesday, which analyzed 23 protein powder and shakes. The range included dairy, beef and plant-based protein supplements. The analysis found that more than two-thirds of the products contained more lead in a single serving than what experts consider to be safe, around 0.5 micrograms per day.

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Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports in a news release said, "Protein powders and shakes have become immensely popular and are part of a daily routine for many people who are focused on consuming more protein in their diet. Protein powders and shakes have become immensely popular and are part of a daily routine for many people who are focused on consuming more protein in their diet."

Lead Levels, Which Protein Powder Has The Most?

On average, the lead levels in plant-based products were the highest. The report revealed that it was nine times the amount found in dairy-based proteins, like whey. When compared to beef-based products, the plant-based powders had twice as much lead in it.

The Consumer Reports also published a list of products to avoid, among them, at the top were two plant-based protein powders by the brand Naked Nutrition Vegan Mass Gainer and Huel Black Edition. The former one contained 1,572% more lead than the level approved, while the latter one contained 1,288% over the approved level. The Consumer Report suggested that these powders should not be consumed at all, while for other products, it did provide the servings per week limit.

The categories are:

• Products to Avoid
• Recommend Limiting to Once a Week
• Okay to Eat Occasionally
• Better Choices for Daily Consumption

The Consumer Reports provided that Muscle Tech Mass Gainer showed no lead in its product, thus no limit was placed on it.

Consumer Reports Protein Powder: How Was The Test Conducted?

The Consumer Reports in its report writes that they purchased multiple samples of each product, including two to four distinct lots, over a three-month period beginning last November. These products were brought anonymously from online retailers and food stores. The samples from multiple lot were tested for levels of protein, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and other elements. However the report notes: "the results are based on an average of these samples, which were collected over a specific period of time, they may not mirror current contaminant levels in every product. Even so, the findings highlight why consumers should carefully consider the role of protein powders and shakes in their diet."

How Did The Protein Powder Companies Respond?

7 of the 23 companies did not respond for comments, but those who responded said that lead is a naturally occurring element that is difficult to avoid, especially in plant-based products. Eight companies, namely: Equip Foods, Garden of Life, KOS, Momentous, Muscle Meds, Muscle Tech, Orgain, and Vega, said they test both their ingredients and finished products for heavy metals.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidelines, which would tackle tuberculosis (TB) and under-nutrition together. The WHO has recommended that food assistance must be provided to households with TB patients and the undernourished or food insecure must be screened for the disease.

This has come after the Reduction Activation of Tuberculosis by Improvement of Nutritional Status (RATIONS) trial by Indian researchers. This has inspired a global shift in the TB policy.

What Are The RATIONS trial?

These trials were conducted in Jharkhand and were published in The Lancet and The Lancet Global. The trials highlighted the vital role nutrition plays in the reduction of mortality among people who are living with TB. It also helps in reducing the incidence among household contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

The ICMR-supported RATIONS trial were also led by a research team headed by Dr Anurag Bhargava and Dr Madhavi Bhargava from Kasturba Medical College and Yenepoya Medical College, respectively.

The studies also showed that weight gain in the first two months was associated with a 60% lower risk of TB mortality. It also showed higher treatment success and also a decrease in loss to follow-up.

How Does Nutrition Help With TB Patients?

As per a 2009 study published in the Lung India, the Official Publication of Indian Chest Society, in patients with TB, it leads to reduction in appetite, nutrient malabsorption, micronutrient malabsorption, and altered metabolism. The study notes that both, protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrients deficiencies could increase the risk of TB.

The study revealed that malnourished TB patients experience slower recovery and higher mortality compared to those who are well-nourished. Nutritional status often improves during TB treatment, but high rates of HIV in developing countries worsen the impact of malnutrition on the disease.

Childhood TB and tuberculin skin test outcomes are also affected by poor nutrition. Experts suggest that nutritional supplementation could support faster recovery in TB patients, while improving overall population nutrition may serve as an effective strategy to control tuberculosis in underdeveloped regions.

What Should One Eat To Recover From TB?

The Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital on its website notes that dietary guidelines play a crucial role in the management of TB. So, what must someone recovering from TB consume?

Protein-rich Foods

Foods like eggs, lean meat, poultry, fish, beans, lentils and nuts are excellent sources of protein. Consuming protein-rich foods help in prevention of muscle loss, and promoted healing.

High-calorie Foods

Extra aid in recovery is never too bad, thus consuming high-calorie foods can provide the necessary energy one needs while recovering. Some high-calorie food that can also be included in the diet are: yoghurt, dried fruits, whole milk, peanut butter, nuts, cheese, avocados, dark chocolate and granola bars.

Micronutrients

Studies too have shown that micronutrients are essential, and they play a crucial role in maintaining the immune system. Thus, one can add leafy vegetables, berries, citrus fruits, nuts and seeds.

Other things you can include are high-energy foods, good carbs, and some super foods. What you must avoid are fried foods, alcohol, smoking and processed foods.