What is Fried Rice Syndrome? + Why the US is Set to Ban Brominated Vegetable Oil

In recent times, fried rice syndrome has become a trending concern, especially after a TikTok video highlighted a tragic incident from 2008 involving a 20-year-old student. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about fried rice syndrome, which refers to food poisoning caused by a bacterium called Bacillus cereus. It poses a significant threat when introduced to specific foods that are not adequately stored post-cooking. Such foods commonly include starchy items like rice and pasta, but even cooked vegetables and meats can be vulnerable. One distinct characteristic of B. cereus is its ability to produce spores — cells exceptionally resistant to heat. Therefore, while reheating might eliminate other bacteria, it might not be effective against B. cereus in food. When these spores find the right conditions, they can grow and produce the toxins responsible for fried rice syndrome. The team highlights the importance of properly storing and reheating leftovers and notes that meat isn’t the only food susceptible to foodborne illness.

Also in this episode, Sydney talks about why the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to remove brominated vegetable oil from its list of approved food additives. The move comes after the FDA National Center for Toxicological Research, the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and Toxicologic Pathology Associates in the US uncovered new evidence pointing to brominated vegetable oil’s potential harm. Originally sanctioned for use in measured doses, brominated vegetable oil has been used to keep citrus flavors from separating in some beverages. The reassessment of brominated vegetable oil’s place in the food industry aligns with the FDA’s obligation to base regulatory actions on scientific findings and risk assessments. A recent study connects brominated vegetable oil intake to heightened concentrations of bromine within bodily tissues, with a notable focus on thyroid health implications. The team posits this ban will be easier to implement since brominated vegetable oil has been largely phased out.

Read the full article here:

Fried Rice Syndrome: A Disturbing Reminder About the Dangers of Bacillus Cereus
Brominated Vegetable Oil Concerns Prompt FDA to Propose Ban

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