Can infested rice affect other foods?

Generally, whether rice infested with insects will affect other foods depends on the storage conditions of the other foods. If the other foods are well sealed, they usually will not be affected; however, if they are not sealed, they may become affected. It is recommended to dispose of the infested rice promptly to prevent the spread of insects. The detailed analysis is as follows:

If other foods are in sealed condition and the sealing measures are effective, they can prevent insects from the rice from entering and also stop the insects from laying eggs and reproducing around the food. In this case, other foods generally won't be affected. Simply dispose of the insect-infested rice promptly and clean the storage environment accordingly.

When other foods are not sealed, insects from the rice may crawl into these foods, not only feeding on them but also potentially laying eggs inside, leading to contamination and spoilage, rendering them unfit for consumption. In such cases, all affected food must be discarded, and the storage containers and environment must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent further spread of the insects.

To avoid infested rice affecting other foods, it is recommended to store different types of food separately in sealed containers, especially keeping rice in a dry, well-ventilated location to reduce the likelihood of infestation. As soon as rice infestation is detected, it should be dealt with immediately, and surrounding foods should be checked for any signs of infestation.