How long can cooked rice be stored without spoiling during summer?

　　In summer, rice can typically be stored at room temperature for 2-4 hours and can be preserved for 3-5 days under refrigeration, although the exact time may vary.

　　Under the high temperature and humid conditions of summer, rice easily breeds bacteria and mold at room temperature, especially cooked rice. Generally speaking, rice left at room temperature for more than 4 hours in summer is no longer safe to eat. This is because bacteria multiply rapidly under favorable conditions, which may lead to food poisoning.

　　Storing rice in the refrigerator can extend its shelf life. The temperature in the refrigeration compartment is usually around 5°C, which can inhibit bacterial growth and reproduction, but cannot completely prevent bacteria from multiplying. Therefore, rice can be refrigerated for 3-5 days. If the rice becomes hard or its texture deteriorates during refrigeration, it may be due to starch retrogradation. At this point, although the rice has not spoiled, its taste and nutritional value have declined.

　　To ensure food safety, it is recommended that rice cooked in summer should either be consumed immediately or properly refrigerated or frozen to extend its shelf life. At the same time, it is important to maintain the cleanliness and airtightness of the storage container during storage to reduce the chance of microbial contamination.